Surge of arctic air plunged into South Texas during the evening hours of Jan 14th to the early morning hours of Jan 15th, dropping temperatures below freezing overnight (21-30 F). A Winter Weather Advisory over all of South Texas was upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning for the Coastal Plains the morning of Jan.
Every event with a place to put it; 32 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS CRP wrote it up.
Surge of arctic air plunged into South Texas during the evening hours of Jan 14th to the early morning hours of Jan 15th, dropping temperatures below freezing overnight (21-30 F). A Winter Weather Advisory over all of South Texas was upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning for the Coastal Plains the morning of Jan. 15th as freezing rain was reported and accumulated on bridges and overpasses across South Texas. Dozens of accidents occurred across the region due to ice with a fatality near Laredo. Temperatures remained below freezing through the day on Jan. 15th for much of South Texas and lows dropped to the low to mid 20s the night of Jan. 15th. Strong northerly winds with temps in the 20s caused wind chill values in the single digits on the morning of Jan. 16th. Although temperatures rose above freezing during the day on Jan. 16th, radiational cooling allowed for the coldest air temperature night with early morning temperatures on Jan. 17th in the upper teens over the inland Coastal Plains to the mid 20s along the coast. Multiple freeze and hard freeze warnings along with wind chill warnings were also in effect.
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 Corpus Christi, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 14, 5:01 PM CST, 3 hours 59 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
501 PM CST Sun Jan 14 2024
...New AVIATION...
.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight through Monday night)
Issued at 256 PM CST Sun Jan 14 2024
Key Messages:
- Medium chance (20-60%) of freezing rain across the northern Brush
Country into the Victoria Crossroads Sunday night into Monday morning
- Winter Weather Advisory in effect from tonight to tomorrow evening
- Freeze Warning and Wind Chill Warnings and Advisories in effect
from this evening to tomorrow evening
So far nothing has changed with this forecast package. The cold
front that is ushering in the coldest air of the season is
through the forecast area but the initial cold air along our
border with the BRO CWA is rather shallow so the temperature
haven't cooled much there. The low level moisture associated with
the front has produce a layer of stratus/stratocu that is helping
to keep the temperatures down in the 40s and 50 currently. As we
head into tonight, the low level cool air and moisture will begin
the push south again. The cold air moving out of the the Hill
Country of central Texas where temperatures have been in the 30s
all day will make their move into the Brush Country and Victoria
Crossroads this evening and then into the Rio Grande Plains and
Coastal Plains after midnight. As the temperatures drop, the
moisture trapped under the inversion will continue to increase and
it looks like we get into a drizzle/light rain situation. The QPF
is light (<0.05") but if the surfaces can cool enough, then a
patchy glaze is possible, especially on bridges and overpasses.
The areas of precipitation that are more likely will be toward the
north (northern Brush Country, Victoria Crossroads), where more
of the wintry precipitation is expected. Monday, the the below
freezing temperatures and light rain/drizzle will continue in the
east, as the high builds into the region, and dries out the Rio
Grande Plains, before heading for the coast. So there could be
patchy freezing drizzle into the afternoon before the drier air
pushes it offshore. Then we just have cold temperatures that go
into Monday night, as the cold air continues to drain south into
the region. Low temperatures Tuesday morning are expected to fall
to around 20 in the northern Brush Country, and the Victoria
Crossroads, and mid-20s elsewhere.
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday through next Saturday)
Issued at 256 PM CST Sun Jan 14 2024
The long term has only minor changes from the previous issuance.
Temperatures will begin in the 20s across the region Tuesday morning
in the wake of the Arctic air pushing into the area. Highs will
struggle to reach upper 30s to mid 40s during the day Tuesday. One
big impact during the day to watch will be the Wind Chill due to
values of teens to single digits expected through at least Wednesday
morning. In response to this, we have extended our Wind Chill
Advisory through 10 AM Wednesday. Though the potential for other
hazards to be extended is possible they will not be extended during
this forecast issuance. Temperatures will plunge to our coldest
expected temperatures for this event Tuesday night into Wednesday
morning. Lows will be in the teens to the north and in the Victoria
Crossroads with widespread 20s expected everywhere else. Due to this
a Freeze to Hard Freeze Warnings may be warranted, but like
previously mentioned those will not be issued at this time though it
likely will closer to the date. Warmer air will begin to advect into
the area beginning Wednesday though it will be most felt Thursday as
highs will return to the 70s. This will unfortunately this will be
short lived as another cold front will bring cooler temperatures to
the area Friday. Lows will be back around freezing Friday night
before rebounding through the next week.
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 444 PM CST Sun Jan 14 2024
A combination of MVFR and VFR ceilings will diminish to mainly
MVFR with periods of IFR ceilings overnight. There is a moderate
chance of freezing rain or freezing drizzle beginning around 09Z.
Rain or drizzle will continue through around 18Z, but temperatures
will warm as the sun comes up, so freezing precipitation will not
hang around. MVFR ceilings are expected from around 18Z through
the end of the TAF period.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 256 PM CST Sun Jan 14 2024
The northeast flow has strengthened, so that the coastal waters
will be at small craft advisory thresholds during the early
evening. Winds will continue to strengthen offshore so that they
will reach small craft later this evening. Isolated to scattered
showers are likely late tonight through Monday evening, mainly
across the Gulf waters. A surge of high pressure will move
through the region Tuesday morning. This will lead to a strong
northerly flow over the waters Tuesday morning through Tuesday
afternoon. As a result, a Gale Watch is now in effect for the the
bays and coastal waters. Winds will fall back into the Small Craft
Advisory range Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.
Isolated to scattered showers will be possible over the offshore
waters through Tuesday afternoon. Winds will gradually regain an
onshore component by Wednesday afternoon. Another cold front moves
offshore Friday with another round of Small Craft Advisories
likely.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Corpus Christi 53 31 37 27 / 10 20 30 10
Victoria 41 26 34 22 / 0 20 30 0
Laredo 66 31 42 28 / 0 20 10 0
Alice 51 29 37 25 / 10 20 30 10
Rockport 51 32 39 27 / 0 20 30 10
Cotulla 47 29 40 23 / 0 20 20 0
Kingsville 54 30 38 26 / 0 20 30 10
Navy Corpus 59 36 41 30 / 10 20 30 20
&&
.CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Freeze Warning from 8 PM this evening to noon CST Monday for
TXZ229.
Wind Chill Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 11 AM CST Monday
for TXZ229.
Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to noon CST Monday
for TXZ229-230.
Freeze Watch from Monday evening through Tuesday morning for
TXZ229-239-242>245-342>344-346-347.
Wind Chill Watch from late Monday night through Wednesday
morning for TXZ229>234-240>247-342>344-346-347.
Freeze Warning from 8 PM this evening to 3 PM CST Monday for
TXZ230.
Wind Chill Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 3 AM CST Monday
for TXZ230>234.
Wind Chill Warning from 3 AM to noon CST Monday for TXZ230>234-
245>247-346-347.
Hard Freeze Watch from Monday evening through Tuesday morning
for TXZ230>234-240-241-246-247.
Freeze Warning from 8 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Monday for
TXZ231>234.
Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 6 PM CST Monday
for TXZ231>234-245>247-346.
Freeze Warning from 3 AM to noon CST Monday for TXZ239.
Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to noon CST Monday for TXZ239-
240.
Freeze Warning from 3 AM to 3 PM CST Monday for TXZ240>243-342-
343.
Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 3 PM CST Monday for
TXZ241>243-342-343.
Freeze Warning from 3 AM to 6 PM CST Monday for TXZ244-344-347.
Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 6 PM CST Monday for TXZ244-
344-347.
Freeze Warning from midnight tonight to 6 PM CST Monday for
TXZ245>247-346.
Wind Chill Advisory from midnight tonight to 3 AM CST Monday for
TXZ245>247-346.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM CST Tuesday for GMZ231-232-236-
237-250-255-270-275.
Gale Watch from late Monday night through Tuesday afternoon for
GMZ231-232-236-237-250-255-270-275.
&&
SHORT TERM...JSL
LONG TERM....NP
AVIATION...LS/77The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
21 cold/wind chill, 11 ice storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to near 20 and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 8 degrees above zero on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to 21 degrees and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 6 degrees above zero on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the low to mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 5 degrees above zero on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 9 degrees above zero on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the lower 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 8 degrees above zero on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the lower 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 6 degrees above zero on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 7 degrees above zero on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 11 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 12 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the lower 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 11 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to around 20 and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 11 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to around 20 and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 11 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 9 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 10 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 10 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the lower 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 9 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the lower 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 9 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the low to mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 8 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the low to mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 7 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the upper teens to lower 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 5 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Wind chill values fell to below 20 degrees as temperatures fell to the low to mid 20s and strong north winds persisted. Wind chill values fell as low as 13 degrees on the morning of the 16th.
Multiple public social media reports of ice buildup on vehicles and overpasses. Texas Department of Public Safety reported at least 14 car accidents near Laredo. Including 1 fatality due to ice on Interstate 35 about 22 miles north of Laredo. There was also at least 1 injury.
Approximately 50 vehicle accidents were reported across the city of Corpus Christi between 6 AM to 2 PM CST on Jan. 15th due to freezing rain earlier in the morning and bridges/overpasses freezing over. Reports came from Texas Department of Transportation and the Emergency Manager.
Freezing rain started to accumulate around 6 AM at the Corpus Christi Airport reported by an NWS Employee. A vehicle accident due to ice on roads was reported on FM665 near Driscoll, TX and Joe Fulton Intl Trade Corridor closed due to icy conditions.
Vehicle accident due to ice on HWY-181 at the Normanna Junction.
Duval County Emergency Manager sent photo of ice on Hwy 44 between San Diego and Freer.
Vehicle accidents due to ice on the Goliad County US 59 San Antonio River Bridge and near the intersection of Farm-to-Market 622 and Highway 183.
Patches of ice reported along HWY665 near Alice.
Vehicular accident due to ice near the intersection of General Cavazos Blvd and US Highway 77. US Highway 77 closed in Kingsville due to icing. Source: RJ Thomas with the Council of Governments.
Eleven (11) vehicular accidents across the county due to ice, including an accident at the intersection of Highway 59 and County Road 157.
San Patricio S.O. reported multiple vehicle accidents due to ice in surrounding areas, including Sinton, Odem and Gregory.
Icing on multiple bridges in the city of Victoria, and between Mission Valley and Port Lavaca. Vehicular accidents along Highway 59 north of Victoria.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Storm, Webb | 2024-01-15 | 29 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, January 2024
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: 1159347, 1159350, 1159351, 1159352, 1159353, 1159354, 1159355, 1159356, 1159357, 1159359, 1159360, 1159362, 1159364, 1159365, 1159366, 1159367, 1159369, 1159371, 1159372, 1159373, 1159374, 1159277, 1159288, 1159293, 1159296, 1159297, 1159298, 1159299, 1159300, 1159301, 1159303, 1159304.