Texas, 2024

Cold in Texas, January 16 to 19, 2024

January 16 to 19, 2024 · NWS CRP · 1 event in 1 county or zone

A very cold arctic air mass moved into South Texas during the early morning of Jan. 15th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

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 CRP wrote it up.

A very cold arctic air mass moved into South Texas during the early morning of Jan. 15th. The cold temperatures caused the water temperatures to drop in the bays of the Middle Texas coast. This caused cold stunning of green sea turtles in the bays. Around 323 cold stunned green sea turtles were rescued in the bays of the Middle Texas coast between Jan. 16th and Jan. 19th. Padre Island National Seashore, NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Sealife Center, The Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) and other rescue teams helped with the efforts to find, document, rehabilitate, and release cold stunned turtles on the Middle Texas coast.

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 Corpus Christi, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 15, 10:44 PM CST, 1 hour 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 15, 10:44 PM CST, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
1044 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight through Tuesday night)
Issued at 329 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

Key Messages:

- Sub-freezing temperatures (<32F) tonight into Tuesday morning and
Wednesday morning

- Cold Wind Chills Monday night and Tuesday night.

High pressure, following yesterday's cold front, is building into
the region this afternoon, pushing the precipitation out of the
south Texas and into the gulf. Temperatures have remained a little
on the low side (lower to mid 30s, maybe a few upper 20s) today, so
the rebound from this morning's low will be a bit more muted. Once
past 00z/Tue, the temperatures will begin their march back down into
the 20s everywhere, so that the region remain in the lower to mid
20s by Tuesday morning. With the high over us, the clouds will mix
out and allow for some sunshine. The sunshine should help to get the
high temperatures for the day to mid 30s (Victoria Crossroads) to
around 40 (Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Plains). The high will
continue over the region Tuesday night, allowing for clear skies,
and light winds, which will allow the region to radiate. Low
temperatures are expected to fall into the mid to upper teens in
the Victoria Crossroads, and the northern Brush Country. The Rio
Grande Plains and southern Brush Country, and the southern Coastal
Bend will have low in the mid 20s to around 30.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday through next Sunday)
Issued at 329 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

The GFS/ECMWF predicts a quasi-zonal upper pattern with weak
disturbances moving across the Plains Wednesday/Thursday. In
response, a surface low develops southeast of the Rockies and moves
across northern TX/southern Plains. A prefrontal trough is predicted
to move across the CWA Thursday afternoon, followed by a cold front
across the CWA Thursday night. Drying behind the prefrontal trough
is expected to preclude precipitation over the CWA along the cold
front Thursday night. Expect cold conditions Friday night with
readings from the upper 20s to the upper 30s (concur with the NBM
output), yet no precipitation expected. A warming trend is expected
Saturday/Sunday. The GFS/ECMWF are consistent with the development
of a coastal trough Saturday/Saturday night. The combination of the
developing coastal trough and increasing isentropic lift will
increase the chance for precipitation, with temperatures expected to
be above freezing.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1008 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

MVFR ceilings, with IFR ceilings at CRP, will clear out to VFR
ceilings across South Texas by 09Z as dry air pours into the area.
Winds will continue to be moderate to strong, with gusts to 25-30
knots expected through midday Tuesday. Winds will diminish Tuesday
afternoon, with light northerly winds prevailing through the end
of the TAF period.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 329 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect as strong north- northeast
flow continues. As high pressure moves into south Texas, winds will
strengthen and become strong with gale gusts overnight. Winds will
continue strong until the Tuesday afternoon when the high moves over
South Texas and the flow weakens to moderate. As the high continues
to build into the Gulf, the winds will be weak to moderate Tuesday
night. Isentropic lift is expected to generate precipitation over
the offshore waters Wednesday. A cold front is expected to move
across the Waters Thursday night/Friday morning and result in
moderate to strong north/northeast flow that is expected to
persist through early Saturday. A developing coastal
trough/isentropic lift is expected to increase the chance for
quickly precipitation Saturday/Sunday.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Corpus Christi    26  39  25  53 /  10   0   0   0
Victoria          20  36  19  50 /   0   0   0   0
Laredo            24  41  27  53 /   0   0   0   0
Alice             24  39  22  52 /   0   0   0   0
Rockport          26  40  26  55 /   0   0   0   0
Cotulla           22  40  22  53 /   0   0   0   0
Kingsville        26  39  24  52 /  10   0   0   0
Navy Corpus       29  40  32  58 /  20   0   0   0

&&

.CRP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Wind Chill Warning until noon CST Tuesday for TXZ229>234-239>247-
     342>347-442-443-447.

     Freeze Warning until noon CST Tuesday for TXZ229-239-242>245-
     342>347-442-443-447.

     Hard Freeze Watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning
     for TXZ229>234-239>244-246-247-346.

     Wind Chill Watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning
     for TXZ229>234-239>247-342>344-346-347.

     Freeze Warning until midnight CST tonight for TXZ230>234-240-241-
     246-247.

     Hard Freeze Warning until noon CST Tuesday for TXZ230>234-240-
     241-246-247.

     Freeze Watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning for
     TXZ245-342>345-347-442-443-447.

GM...Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM CST Tuesday for GMZ231-232-236-
     237-250-255-270-275.

     Gale Warning from 3 AM to 2 PM CST Tuesday for GMZ231-232-236-
     237-250-255-270-275.

&&

SHORT TERM...JSL
LONG TERM....WC
AVIATION...LS/77

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 15, 6:19 PM CST, 5 hours 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
619 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0847 AM     Freezing Rain    1 E Driscoll            27.67N 97.74W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       Nueces             TX   Law Enforcement

            Vehicle accident on 665 near Driscoll, TX.

&&

TE
Local storm report, Jan 15, 6:25 PM CST, 5 hours 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
625 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0747 AM     Freezing Rain    4 S Sinton              27.98N 97.50W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       San Patricio       TX   Law Enforcement

            San Patricio S.O. reported multiple vehicle
            accidents in surrounding areas, including
            Sinton, Odem and Gregory.

&&

TE
Local storm report, Jan 15, 6:30 PM CST, 5 hours 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
630 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0847 AM     Freezing Rain    4 ESE Alice             27.73N 98.01W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       Jim Wells          TX   Law Enforcement

            Patches of ice along HWY665 near Alice.

&&

TE
Local storm report, Jan 15, 6:33 PM CST, 5 hours 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
633 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1019 AM     Freezing Rain    2 NE Rosita             27.80N 98.41W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       Duval              TX   Public

            Duval County Emergency Manager sent photo of
            ice on Hwy 44 between San Diego and Freer.

&&

TE
Local storm report, Jan 15, 6:37 PM CST, 5 hours 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
637 PM CST Mon Jan 15 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0515 AM     Freezing Rain    1 W Laredo              27.53N 99.50W
01/15/2024  E0.00 inch       Webb               TX   Public

            Social media report of ice buildup on
            vehicles across Laredo.

0747 AM     Freezing Rain    4 S Sinton              27.98N 97.50W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       San Patricio       TX   Law Enforcement

            San Patricio S.O. reported multiple vehicle
            accidents in surrounding areas, including
            Sinton, Odem and Gregory.

0600 AM     Freezing Rain    4 S Corpus Christi      27.73N 97.39W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       Nueces             TX   Law Enforcement

            Approximately 50 vehicle accidents across
            the city of Corpus Christi, beginning around
            6 AM CST through 2 PM CST.

0607 AM     Freezing Rain    CC Airport              27.78N 97.51W
01/15/2024  E0.00 inch       Nueces             TX   NWS Employee

            Freezing rain starting to accumulate ice on
            cars and elevated surfaces.

0847 AM     Freezing Rain    1 E Driscoll            27.67N 97.74W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       Nueces             TX   Law Enforcement

            Vehicle accident on 665 near Driscoll, TX.

0900 AM     Freezing Rain    6 NNW CC Airport        27.85N 97.56W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       Nueces             TX   Law Enforcement

            At approximately 9 AM CST, Joe Fulton Intl
            Trade Corridor was closed due to icy
            conditions.

0847 AM     Freezing Rain    4 ESE Alice             27.73N 98.01W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       Jim Wells          TX   Law Enforcement

            Patches of ice along HWY665 near Alice.

1019 AM     Freezing Rain    2 NE Rosita             27.80N 98.41W
01/15/2024  E0.01 inch       Duval              TX   Public

            Duval County Emergency Manager sent photo of
            ice on Hwy 44 between San Diego and Freer.

&&

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Cold/Wind Chill, Coastal Nueces County

When
January 16, 12:00 AM CST to January 19, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Coastal Nueces County forecast zone
Reported by
Park/Forest Service
Coordinates
27.735, -97.516 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Around 323 cold stunned green sea turtles were rescued in the Laguna Madre and Corpus Christi Bay between January 16th and January 19th. Texas State Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue Team and staff assessed their health and promptly started treatment for cold-stunning.

What these are

Cold/Wind Chill
Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Texas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, January 2024

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: 1159375.