Texas, 2021

Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Texas, February 13 to 15, 2021

February 13 to 15, 2021 · NWS EWX · 66 events in 33 counties and zones

A series of weather systems brought several rounds of winter weather to South Central Texas from February 11 through February 18. The second round came on the 13th and 14th with cold air still in place in the low levels, another upper level shortwave trough moved across Texas providing lift for precipitation.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 66 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
20
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
66

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS EWX wrote it up.

A series of weather systems brought several rounds of winter weather to South Central Texas from February 11 through February 18. The second round came on the 13th and 14th with cold air still in place in the low levels, another upper level shortwave trough moved across Texas providing lift for precipitation. The deeper atmosphere had warm air above the cold leading to a second round of freezing rain. The third round of winter weather was initiated by another upper level shortwave trough on the 14th and 15th. This system brought cooler air above the boundary layer and turned precipitation to snow. Most of the area had only snow, but there were also short periods of freezing rain in a few places. In addition to the snow, bitterly cold air and breezy winds combined to bring extreme wind chill values on the 15th. With a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) the state of Texas DSHS has produced some fatality numbers (direct vs indirect) for this event. However there are no details provided on gender, exact location, or time of death. Direct deaths are from hypothermia. Indirect deaths are listed as deaths from falls, carbon monoxide, heating related fire, motor vehicle accidents, drowning, exacerbation of chronic illness, and frostbite. In some cases where fatality information was obtained by emergency managers, some details have been documented. Dates of deaths were placed on Feb 15 as an estimate and to be consistent of when some of the coldest temperatures occurred. In addition overall monetary losses for individual counties cannot be computed with the substantial number of insured loss claims due to water pipes bursting in homes and businesses along with monetary loss due to rolling power blackouts. Insured loss numbers are not passed onto individual NWS offices. In the more urbanized counties where population is larger, overall uninsured and insured losses likely will total in the 100s of millions of dollars. The state of Texas will likely accumulate Billions in losses with this winter event.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 12, 10:31 PM CST, 4 hours 7 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 12, 10:31 PM CST, 4 hours 7 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
1031 PM CST Fri Feb 12 2021

.AVIATION...
MVFR will prevail at the TAF sites overnight through Saturday night.
Although precipitation is possible through the period, kept mention
to the time periods with the best chances as they remain low. Have
SHRA at KDRT late morning into afternoon and FZDZ at the I-35 sites
afternoon and evening. Northerly winds of 7 to 15 KTs at the I-35
sites and northerly around 5 KTs becoming easterly Saturday evening
at KDRT.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 836 PM CST Fri Feb 12 2021/

UPDATE...
Upper level trough currently over southern Arizona/northern Sonora
state continues to drop southeast. It is still expected to move over
the Big Bend on Saturday and southern Texas Saturday night. Current
and forecast soundings/QPF indicate precipitation type is trending
more toward drizzle/freezing drizzle due to weaker isentropic lift.
For now, however, will maintain rain/freezing rain mix on Saturday.
Better chances for rain/freezing rain are along the Rio Grande into
the Edwards Plateau. There could even be some sleet over Val Verde
and Edwards Counties should the subfreezing layer deepen slightly
more. In addition, cold advection, a thick cloud layer prohibiting
much insolation, and less latent heat release is expected. As a
result, have cooled high temperatures on Saturday slightly and these
could even be too warm. All this being said, still expect impacts
from freezing drizzle/rain, even though amounts will be light,
especially on roads, bridges, and overpasses that already have ice on
them due to little if any warming. The latest models appear to be
faster on the Arctic Plunge and cooling of the airmass aloft Sunday
into Monday. Later forecasts will address these issues. The Winter
Storm Warning north and Winter Storm Watch south remain in effect.

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 545 PM CST Fri Feb 12 2021/

AVIATION...
MVFR flying conditions will prevail tonight through Saturday evening.
The exception being, IFR will likely prevail over the Hill Country
and possibly during periods of precipitation elsewhere. Areas -FZDZ
will develop overnight into Saturday morning. Have maintained PROB30s
for the I-35 sites where the best chances will be. Areas of -FZRA
will develop along the Rio Grande in the morning and then spread
east during the day. Have introduced -FZRA mention at KDRT in the
morning, then become -RA as temperatures warm there. Have also
introduced -FZRA mention at the I-35 sites for the afternoon.
However, there could be brief periods where temperatures rise above
freezing with a transition to -RA. Northerly winds will prevail at 7
to 15 KTs, except becoming variable at 5 KTs at KDRT.

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 328 PM CST Fri Feb 12 2021/

DISCUSSION (WATCH/WARNING)...
Given impacts are still ongoing across portions of the Hill Country
and Austin metro area, any additional light drizzle or rainfall will
quickly add to the problems as ground temperatures continue to cool.
Opted to go with Winter Storm Warning beginning tomorrow at 6AM to
account not only for the light freezing precipitation, but also the
more robust widespread system expected Sunday evening and Sunday
night. For areas across the Southern half of the area where wintry
weather is not expected until Sunday night, a Winter Storm Watch is
in effect.

SHORT TERM (Tonight through Saturday Night)...
With a cold airmass in place, an approaching disturbance means
another round of wintry precip for the area. Beginning tonight,
patchy freezing drizzle is expected, starting after midnight. Models
have trended slightly drier for tomorrow, but while accumulations
are expected to be light, in areas where icing remained from Thursday
any additional accumulations could cause major impacts including
additional power outages. It is important to note that with the
extended time with temperatures in the 30s, the roadways will have
had time to cool off, and impacts could occur quicker than what was
seen Thursday. Temperatures tonight will be in the 20s for most of
the area, and below 32 for the remainder of the area. By Saturday
afternoon, chances of freezing rain in the Hill Country continue into
the evening. With areas south of the Hill Country hovering a few
degrees over freezing, rain with minimal impacts in these areas.
Precip chances ends from west to east tomorrow night.

LONG TERM (Sunday through Friday)...
The Saturday system will be exiting the region on Sunday morning, but
overrunning conditions will continue as yet another system begins to
approach the area. This system will be deeper and stronger than the
previous system and is expected to bring widespread precipitation to
the region. In addition to the precipitation, this system will
finally allow the brutally cold polar airmass that has been stuck in
the Northern Plains to move south into Texas as the precip moves in.

Before the front, during the afternoon and early evening hours on
Sunday, models are in pretty good agreement that some light drizzle
or rain showers will develop. Some of this activity could be freezing
rain or sleet depending on where the freezing line sets up Sunday
afternoon, but this is most likely expected to be in the Hill
Country and and I35 corridor.

The cold front is expected to quickly sweep through the CWA early
Sunday evening and temperatures will quickly drop from near 30 to the
teens. At the same time, widespread precipitation will move into the
area from the west with precipitation continuing likely for 9-12
hours. Think the precip type will initially begin as freezing rain
before quickly transitioning to sleet then snow as colder air aloft
moves into the area. We are expecting 1-3 inches of snow for areas
north of a Del Rio to San Antonio to Schulenburg line with less than
an inch to the south of that line. Locations closer to Burnet and
Williamson County could receive up to 4 inches of snow. In addition
to the snowfall accumulations, up to an additional 0.1" of ice
accumulations will also be possible with the initial precip mode of
freezing rain.

With the brutally cold temperatures expected, widespread impacts are
likely with roads quickly becoming impassable with the ice and snow
expected. We urge everyone to stay off the roadways Sunday night as
temperatures drop into the single digits through teens with wind
chills in the -7 to 8 range. These dangerously cold temperatures
could lead to hypothermia for anyone stranded.

Precipitation is expected to end on Monday morning from west to east,
and highs Monday will likely remain in the 20s to lower 30s for the
area. Skies should become partly cloudy Monday night and temperatures
will drop into the single digits for the northern areas and in the
11-18 degree range for the remainder of the area. The last time
Austin dropped into the single digits was 1989.

Cold conditions will continue through mid-week, but another storm
system will move through the region on Tuesday night. GFS/ECMWF are
in good agreement that temperatures will likely remain below freezing
with another round of winter weather possible. This is an
unprecedented week of weather for South-Central Texas. Our collective
group of meteorologists at our offices can not remember a time where
we had 4 potential winter weather events across our County Warning
Area in one week. The good news is, long range guidance beyond
Thursday is dry.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Austin Camp Mabry              26  31  27  35  14 /  10  20  30  20  80
Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport  27  32  27  36  15 /  10  20  30  20  80
New Braunfels Muni Airport     28  33  29  38  17 /  -   30  30  20  80
Burnet Muni Airport            22  30  25  32  10 /  -   20  20  20  80
Del Rio Intl Airport           33  38  32  42  17 /  10  30  -   20  70
Georgetown Muni Airport        24  30  25  33  12 /  -   20  30  20  80
Hondo Muni Airport             29  36  27  40  16 /  -   30  10  20  70
San Marcos Muni Airport        27  32  26  38  15 /  -   20  30  20  80
La Grange - Fayette Regional   29  35  31  40  17 /  10  20  40  10  80
San Antonio Intl Airport       28  33  29  38  16 /  10  30  20  20  80
Stinson Muni Airport           30  35  29  40  18 /  -   30  20  20  80

&&

.EWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Watch from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning for
Atascosa-Bexar-De Witt-Dimmit-Fayette-Frio-Gonzales-Guadalupe-
Karnes-Kinney-Lavaca-Maverick-Medina-Uvalde-Wilson-Zavala.

Winter Storm Warning from 6 AM Saturday to noon CST Monday for
Bandera-Bastrop-Blanco-Burnet-Caldwell-Comal-Edwards-Gillespie-Hays-
Kendall-Kerr-Lee-Llano-Real-Travis-Val Verde-Williamson.

&&

Short-Term/Aviation...04
Long-Term...05
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 12, 3:57 PM CST, 10 hours 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
357 PM CST Fri Feb 12 2021

TXZ171>173-183>194-202>209-217>225-228-132200-
Llano-Burnet-Williamson-Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-
Gillespie-Kendall-Blanco-Hays-Travis-Bastrop-Lee-Kinney-Uvalde-
Medina-Bexar-Comal-Guadalupe-Caldwell-Fayette-Maverick-Zavala-
Frio-Atascosa-Wilson-Karnes-Gonzales-De Witt-Lavaca-Dimmit-
357 PM CST Fri Feb 12 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for South-Central Texas..

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon And Tonight.

Temperatures will remain below freezing from the Edwards Plateau,
across the Hill Country and I-35 corridor to the US Highway 77
corridor. Patchy freezing drizzle will develop after midnight. As
a result, many roadways, especially bridges and overpasses, will
continue to have icy areas. Travel is discouraged across these
areas this afternoon into tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Winter Storm Warnings and Watches are in effect for the entire
region for Saturday through Monday morning.

An upper level disturbance will bring freezing rain Saturday into
Saturday evening mainly along and north of U.S. 90 and I-10.
Light ice accumulations are possible, especially on bridges and
overpasses, making travel difficult. Additional power outages
could be possible in areas where ongoing ice is unable to melt.

A stronger disturbance will bring heavier precipitation to our
area as well as much colder air late Sunday into Monday. Rain and
freezing rain will turn to sleet and then snow. New ice
accumulations of 1/10 inch, as well as snow accumulations of 1 to
3 inches are expected. Significant disruptions to travel are
expected.

A final round of wintry precipitation is forecast Tuesday night
into Wednesday.

Bitterly cold air is forecast Sunday through Tuesday, with record
low temperatures expected. Much of the Hill Country will remain
below freezing tonight through at least Wednesday morning. The
rest of the area will remain below freezing Sunday night through
midday Tuesday. Low temperatures in the single digits to around
20 are forecast Monday and Tuesday mornings. Wind chill values
will be even colder, ranging from -10 to 10 degrees both mornings.
A Wind Chill Advisory may be required.

Now is the time to prepare for this hard freeze and winter
precipitation.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter Activation is not anticipated.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

33 winter storm, 33 extreme cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Atascosa

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Atascosa forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
28.894, -98.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The second part of this episode brought 2.5 -3.0 of snow to Poteet.

Winter Storm, Bandera

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Bandera forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
29.747, -99.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow blanketed Bandera County. Some reports included 4.5 at Hill Country State Natural Area, 3.0 in Utopia, 4.0 in Pipe Creek, 3.0 in Medina, and 2.8 in Bandera.

Winter Storm, Bastrop

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Bastrop forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
30.104, -97.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snow in Bastrop County ranged from 2.0 in Circle D-KC Estates to 5.5 in Wyldwood. Some other totals were 4.0 in McDade and 4.3 in Bastrop.

Winter Storm, Bexar

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Bexar forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
29.449, -98.520 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter reported a light coat of ice at the US 90 and I 37 interchange from freezing drizzle. An amateur radio operator reported a light glaze on exposed surfaces, vehicles, and trash cans at intersection of Ingram Rd and White Tail Dr in San Antonio. Amateur radio also reported ice forming on De Zavala Rd in the vicinity of Thomas C. Clark high school in San Antonio. The San Antonio Fire Department reported freezing drizzle and a glaze of ice forming on the equipment at the fire station at the intersection of Vance Jackson Rd and Wurzbach Rd. TxDOT reported multiple highway ramps and connectors were closed in San Antonio due to ice and road conditions. Ice accumulation was 0.01 to 0.02 across the San Antonio area. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Snow totals in Bexar County ranged from 3.0 in Shavano Park to 6.0 in Leon Valley and near Sea World. Some other snow totals include 5.0 in Helotes, 4.5 in Bulverde, 4.0 in Universal City, and 3.5 in Converse.

Winter Storm, Blanco

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Blanco forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
30.266, -98.400 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Four inches of snow fell in Hye and Blanco.

Winter Storm, Burnet

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Burnet forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
30.788, -98.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall in Burnet County ranged from 2.0 in Burnet to 3.8 in Granite Shoals. There was also 3.5 in Bertram and 3.0 in Marble Falls.

Winter Storm, Caldwell

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Caldwell forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
29.837, -97.620 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The state of Texas operations center reported a multi-vehicle accident on west bound I 10 at mile marker 631 due to 0.01 of ice on the road. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Lockhart saw 4.8 of snow and Dale and Fentress had 3.5 .

Winter Storm, Comal

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Comal forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
29.808, -98.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several spots of ice were reported on roadways and vehicles around Canyon Lake and Startzville. A few cars have spun out trying to make it up the large hill on FM 3159. Several spots of ice were also reported on Hwy 281 in the Spring Branch area. Several cars have spun out and 18 wheelers are pulled over. A 0.01 layer of ice accumulated on the overpass at I 35 and Rueckle Rd/Loop 337. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Snowfall totals ranged from 3.0 in a neighborhood southeast of Canyon Lake to 6.2 in Canyon Lake. There was also 5.2 in Bulverde and 5.5 in New Braunfels.

Winter Storm, De Witt

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
De Witt forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
29.082, -97.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The emergency manager reported patchy ice on Hwy 72 west of Nordheim. DPS and EMS were sliding on ice responding to an accident. The emergency manager reported all roads in Cuero had ice. Snowfall overnight left 1.7 on the ground in Meyers on the 15th.

Winter Storm, Dimmit

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Dimmit forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
28.423, -99.757 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totals in Carrizo Springs were 1.3 to 1.5 .

Winter Storm, Edwards

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Edwards forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
29.983, -100.305 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Emergency management reported power lines down across several roadways in the county due to ice accumulation.

Winter Storm, Fayette

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Fayette forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
29.877, -96.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

TxDOT reported ice on bridges and overpasses in and around La Grange according to the drivetexas.org website. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Snow totals included 5.5 in La Grange and 3.5 in Muldoon.

Winter Storm, Frio

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Frio forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
28.868, -99.108 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th left 4.5 on the ground in Frio Town and one inch in Dilley.

Winter Storm, Gillespie

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Gillespie forecast zone
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
30.318, -98.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several vehicles ran off the road into ditches, including an 18-wheeler, on Hwy 16 between Kerrville and Fredericksburg. Due to additional icing from freezing drizzle this morning on top of a possible ice layer from a previous ice event Thursday. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th dropping 2.5 in Fredericksburg.

Winter Storm, Gonzales

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Gonzales forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
29.457, -97.492 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

TxDOT reported ice on bridges and overpasses in and around Gonzales County according to the drivetexas.org website. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th bringing 3.5 in Cheapside and 3.0 in Gonzales.

Winter Storm, Guadalupe

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Guadalupe forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
29.583, -97.949 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accumulated on the sidewalks and vehicles at the NWS office in New Braunfels. There was black ice on the side of the road at the intersection of FM 758 and Airport Rd in New Braunfels. There was a light glaze on vehicles as well. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Snowfall totals ranged from 3.0 in Geronimo to 6.0 in Kingsbury. Seguin received 3.0 .

Winter Storm, Hays

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Hays forecast zone
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
30.058, -98.031 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing drizzle caused bridges to ice over in the San Marcos area. Multiple vehicle collisions occurred. Light freezing drizzle in Dripping Springs deposited a thin sheet of ice on several roads in the area. Two vehicles slid into a guardrail. The Kyle police department closed a portion of I 35 due to icing and multiple accidents. Traffic was detoured on adjacent access roads. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Snowfall totals ranged from 4.0 in Wimberley to 7.5 in Driftwood. Some other totals include 7.1 in Woodcreek, 5.0 in Dripping Springs, 5.9 in Kyle, 6.0 in Buda, and 7.0 in San Marcos.

Winter Storm, Karnes

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Karnes forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
28.906, -97.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th left 1.5 on the ground in Falls City.

Winter Storm, Kendall

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Kendall forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
29.945, -98.712 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th blanketed the county with as much as 7.0 . Some snow totals were 2.5 in Comfort, 3.7 in Bergheim, 5.2 in Sisterdale, and 7.0 in Boerne.

Winter Storm, Kerr

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Kerr forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
30.062, -99.350 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th blanketed the county with as much as 3.4 in Ingram. There was also 3.2 in Kerrville.

Winter Storm, Kinney

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Kinney forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
29.350, -100.418 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th blanketed the county with as much as 4.5 measured in Brackettville.

Winter Storm, Lavaca

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Lavaca forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
29.384, -96.930 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

TxDOT reported ice on bridges and overpasses across much of Lavaca County according to the drivetexas.org website. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Hallettsville received 1.2 .

Winter Storm, Lee

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
30.311, -96.966 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th blanketed the county with as much as 6.0 . Some snow totals included 4.0 in Lincoln, 5.5 in Giddings, and 6.0 in Dime Box.

Winter Storm, Llano

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Llano forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
30.706, -98.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th blanketed the county with as much as 5.0 Some snow totals included 3.0 in Kingsland, 4.0 in Inks Lake, and 5.0 in Llano.

Winter Storm, Maverick

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Maverick forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
28.743, -100.314 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th blanketed the county with as much as 5.0 . The 5.0 was measured at Elm Creek and there was 3.0 in Eagle Pass.

Winter Storm, Medina

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Medina forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
29.356, -99.110 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th blanketed the county with as much as 6.0 . Six inches was reported in Hondo and Castroville and 4.0 was recorded in Tarpley.

Winter Storm, Real

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Real forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
29.832, -99.822 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th deposited 3.0 in Leakey.

Winter Storm, Travis

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Travis forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
30.335, -97.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing ran coated cars and street curbs with ice near the interchange of US 183 and Mopac Blvd leading to a car accident. Black ice reported on several roads across the Austin area as a result of freezing drizzle. Light freezing drizzle reported at Austin Great Hills. New black ice accumulation on all exposed objects. along with remaining 0.05-0.10 in trees from the Wednesday/Thursday system. Ongoing freezing drizzle resulting in a glaze on exposed surfaces, including roadways in Lakeway. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Snowfall totals ranged from 4.0 to 7.5 . The 7.5 was reported in Lakeway. Some other totals were 5.8 in Jollyville, 4.0 in Anderson Mill, 6.5 in Sunset Valley, 6.6 in Austin, 7.0 in Sunset Valley, 5.0 in Pflugerville, and 5.5 in Lago Vista.

Winter Storm, Uvalde

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Uvalde forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
29.357, -99.762 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th deposited 5.0 in Sabinal.

Winter Storm, Val Verde

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Val Verde forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.893, -101.152 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Law enforcement reported multiple accidents, including one roll over, due to icy roads in Del Rio. No injuries reported. Freezing rain changed to snow overnight and left 3.0 on the ground in Del Rio on the 15th.

Winter Storm, Williamson

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Williamson forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
30.648, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was down on a powerline due to icing from freezing rain near the Walgreens at the intersection of El Salido Pkwy and RR 620 N in Anderson Mill. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Snowfall totals ranged from 4.8 in Georgetown to 8.0 in Cedar Park and Leander. Some other totals include 7.0 in Round Rock, 6.0 in Jollyville, and 7.0 in Brushy Creek.

Winter Storm, Wilson

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Wilson forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
29.174, -98.087 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Light freezing rain/drizzle with 0.01 accumulation in Poth. Following the ice event, snow fell on the 14th and 15th. Snowfall totals included 3.5 in Floresville, 2.5 in Poth, and 2.3 in La Vernia.

Winter Storm, Zavala

When
February 13, 2:38 AM CST to February 15, 2:00 PM CST
Where
Zavala forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
28.866, -99.761 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall overnight on the 14th and 15th left 5.5 on the ground in La Pryor and 4.0 in Crystal City.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Bandera

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Bandera forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.747, -99.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Bexar

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Bexar forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 3 indirect
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
29.449, -98.520 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F. According to a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act request) to the Texas Department of State Health Services made in April 2021, information released showed one direct death from hypothermia and three indirect deaths from other causes. Detailed information was not provided on exact date, sex of the fatalities, age, or in the case of the indirect deaths, the exact cause of death. Detailed information will not be made public until 25 years after date of death.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Edwards

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Edwards forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.983, -100.305 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -10 to -15 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Kendall

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Kendall forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.945, -98.712 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Llano

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Llano forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
30.706, -98.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Medina

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Medina forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.356, -99.110 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -8 to -12 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Uvalde

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Uvalde forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.357, -99.762 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Val Verde

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Val Verde forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
29.893, -101.152 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Williamson

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Williamson forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 2 indirect
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
30.648, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Real

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Real forecast zone
Reported by
Unknown
Coordinates
29.832, -99.822 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F. These are estimates based on nearby county observations.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Blanco

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Blanco forecast zone
Reported by
Unknown
Coordinates
30.266, -98.400 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F. These are estimates based on nearby county observations.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Gillespie

When
February 14, 11:00 PM CST to February 15, 10:00 AM CST
Where
Gillespie forecast zone
Reported by
Unknown
Coordinates
30.318, -98.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F. These are estimates based on nearby county observations.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Atascosa

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Atascosa forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
28.894, -98.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Bastrop

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Bastrop forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
30.104, -97.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Burnet

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Burnet forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
30.788, -98.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -10 to -15 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Caldwell

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Caldwell forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
29.837, -97.620 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Comal

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Comal forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
29.808, -98.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, De Witt

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
De Witt forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
29.082, -97.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values near 0 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Dimmit

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Dimmit forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
28.423, -99.757 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Fayette

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Fayette forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.877, -96.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Frio

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Frio forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
28.868, -99.108 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F. Fatality information was obtained by the emergency manager, 91 year old female that was discovered by hospice care worker in the the Dilley area.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Gonzales

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Gonzales forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.457, -97.492 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Guadalupe

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Guadalupe forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
29.583, -97.949 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Hays

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Hays forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
30.058, -98.031 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Karnes

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Karnes forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
28.906, -97.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Kerr

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Kerr forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
30.062, -99.350 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values near -5 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Kinney

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Kinney forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.350, -100.418 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lee

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
30.311, -96.966 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Maverick

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Maverick forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
28.743, -100.314 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values near 0 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Travis

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Travis forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 6 indirect
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
30.335, -97.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F. At least 3 of the fatalities are known to have occurred in a structure fire.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Wilson

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Wilson forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
29.174, -98.087 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Zavala

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Zavala forecast zone
Reported by
Unknown
Coordinates
28.866, -99.761 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of 0 to -5 degrees F. These are estimates based on nearby county observations.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lavaca

When
February 15, 2:00 AM CST to 8:00 AM CST
Where
Lavaca forecast zone
Deaths
1 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
Unknown
Coordinates
29.384, -96.930 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme cold temperatures and breezy winds combined to produce wind chill values of -5 to -10 degrees F. These are estimates based on nearby county observations. Direct fatality information was obtained from the Emergency Manager.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Winter Storm, Fayette2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Bandera2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Bexar2021-02-15UnknownDirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Bexar2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Bexar2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Bexar2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Kendall2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Uvalde2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Williamson2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Williamson2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Real2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Blanco2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Frio2021-02-1591FemaleMobile/Trailer HomeDirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lee2021-02-15UnknownDirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Travis2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Travis2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Travis2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Travis2021-02-15Permanent HomeIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Travis2021-02-15Permanent HomeIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Travis2021-02-15Permanent HomeIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lavaca2021-02-15UnknownIndirect
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lavaca2021-02-1570MalePermanent HomeDirect

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Texas in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, February 2021

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 943612, 943613, 943614, 943615, 943617, 943618, 943619, 943620, 943621, 943622, 943623, 943624, 943626, 943630, 943631, 943632, 943633, 943634, 943636, 943637, 943639, 943640, 943641, 943642, 943644, 943645, 943647, 943648, 943649, 943650, 943651, 943652, 943654, 943790, 943791, 943792, 943793, 943794, 943796, 943797, and more.