A major winter storm impacted southern United States across the Gulf coast, producing what would go on to be historic levels of snowfall in some areas over Southeast Texas.
Every event with a place to put it; 26 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 HGX wrote it up.
A major winter storm impacted southern United States across the Gulf coast, producing what would go on to be historic levels of snowfall in some areas over Southeast Texas.
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 Houston/Galveston, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 20, 3:53 PM CST, 2 hours 7 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
353 PM CST Mon Jan 20 2025
...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE...
.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Tuesday Night)
Issued at 303 PM CST Mon Jan 20 2025
*** HISTORIC WINTER STORM TO IMPACT SE TEXAS ***
KEY MESSAGES:
1) Deteriorating conditions are expected overnight with moderate
to heavy mixed precipitation tomorrow morning and early afternoon.
2) Snow totals of 4-6" along and south of the I-10 corridor, 1-3"
north of the I-10 corridor and SW of the Houston Metro. Higher
amounts are possible in the strongest bands. Ice accumulations of
up to 0.1" possible.
3) Extremely cold temperatures are expected on Tuesday night,
with lows near or below 20 degrees.
4) Travel will be extremely hazardous and not possible at times.
Driving should be avoided in impacted areas until conditions
become safer.
Confidence has continued to increase in the prospect of a
historic winter storm to impact the area overnight tonight into
tomorrow afternoon. Based on the current forecast, this will be
the most significant winter storm the Greater Houston area has
experienced since at least 1960. This is a highly unusual event
for our region that will produce very hazardous travel conditions
throughout the course of the day tomorrow and into the early
parts of Wednesday. As such, it must be stressed that travel
should be avoided at all costs until conditions become safer.
Synoptic models continue to remain on track with their depiction
of a weak coastal low/trough in the Western Gulf that will
continue to push northeastward tonight and into tomorrow. As this
occurs, an amplified midlevel trough will push into the Southern
Plains by tomorrow morning. Global models also placing SE TX
within the right entrance region of a strong jet streak, thereby
providing favorable conditions for vertical ascent/upper level
divergence as the system approaches the SE TX coast.
Latest guidance indicates the onset of precipitation as early as
6 PM this evening across parts of the northern zones. Initial
light precipitation is expected to fall as cold rain or a mix of
rain, sleet, and snow as temperatures cool below freezing over the
course of the overnight period. This could amount to some
measurable snow and/or sleet before midnight, particularly across
locations to the north of the I-10 corridor.
More significant precipitation will begin after midnight and
likely peak between approximately 6 AM and Noon tomorrow as the
aforementioned low pressure system pushes closer to the coast.
Confidence remains high that most of this precipitation will fall
as snow. However, we could see periods of a wintry mix depending
on relatively small fluctuations in the temperature profile over
the course of the event. Areas SW of the Houston Metro, where
forecast soundings indicate a more robust layer of warm air aloft,
may pick up some freezing rain during this time period with total
ice accumulations between a hundredth and a tenth of an inch.
Between today's suite of global model guidance, high resolution
models, and probabilistic ensemble guidance, our forecast
snowfall totals have experienced a slight shift to the south but
otherwise have remained generally on track from the past few
forecast packages. The heaviest snowfall continues to remain
concentrated along and south of the I-10 corridor, particularly
the southern portion of Metro Houston, Galveston Bay area, and the
Galveston Island area. Widespread totals of 4-6" of snowfall are
expected to fall in these locations, with the rest of SE Texas
likely to see 1-3" of snowfall. Mesoscale models continue to show
the potential of a few heavier bands of snow, and as such we could
see some localized amounts higher than 6 inches. Winter
precipitation should generally clear from north to south, with
precipitation ending during the early afternoon hours. The
temperature forecast tomorrow is complicated, and will be tied to
the timing and location of any snowfall. Most locations will have
the potential to break above freezing, if only slightly, but
there's a chance some areas may remain at or below freezing for
the entire day. More clarity on this may not arrive until we are
well into the event tomorrow.
Forecast snow totals certainly stand out in a historical context.
While we will not break the all-time snowfall record for Houston
(14" in 1895), a total of higher than 3" would surpass the 1960
winter storm as the second highest snowfall total in recorded
history for Houston. As the forecast stands, this should be
considered a generational winter storm event and its impacts
should be taken seriously. Travel overnight and tomorrow will be
extremely hazardous if not impossible for much of the area, and
travel is highly discouraged. Roads will become slick and
difficult to drive on, with icing possible on elevated roadways
and bridges.
We continue to also anticipate a very cold morning on Wednesday,
with the combined impacts of cold advection and a lingering
snowpack bringing overnight lows to near or below 20 inland and in
the mid 20s along the immediate coast. Low temperatures will be
subject to the location of where the heaviest snow falls, and
possible upward/downward adjustments in the forecast will be
required once a better picture of the snowpack emerges. As such,
we have maintained the Extreme Cold Watch for now, as some areas
still are poised to reach wind chills of 10-15 degrees during the
early part of Wednesday. The likely locations of the coldest
lows/wind chills should emerge tomorrow afternoon. Regardless,
these cold temperatures will allow for accumulated precipitation
to remain on surfaces/roadways and also may result in refreezing
of any lingering liquid.
Preparations for this historic storm should be finalized as soon
as possible. Be prepared to potentially need to stay where you
are throughout the day on Tuesday and into early Wednesday as
travel conditions may not be safe. Be sure to consider any final
actions needed to protect the "4 Ps" - People, Plants, Pets, and
Pipes.
Cady
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Wednesday through next Sunday)
Issued at 303 PM CST Mon Jan 20 2025
We will kick off the long-term forecast with the mention of the VERY
cold temperatures expected Wednesday morning. Lows on Wednesday
morning will be in the teens for inland areas and in the low 20s
along the coast. Wind Chills will be flirting with the criteria for
an Extreme Cold Warning. Local criteria for the Extreme Cold Warning
is Wind Chills or Air Temperatures of 15F or less for Harris
Counties and counties south of Harris. For those north of Harris
County the criteria is 10F or less.
That being said, we are going to stick with the Extreme Cold Watch
for the time being and consider upgrading to an Extreme Cold Warning
with the overnight package or during the day Tuesday. These colder
temperatures are heavily dependent on where the bulk of snow/ice
falls.
Road conditions will likely remain hazardous Wednesday morning,
especially since temperatures on Tuesday will struggle to get above
freezing for most locations (if they do reach to above freezing, it
wouldn't be for long). That means whatever melting does occur, and
whatever is still frozen will refreeze/remain frozen with the
subfreezing temperatures Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Luckily, we are expected to get into the 40s across the area
Wednesday afternoon, so this should improve travel conditions during
the afternoon hours. Be mindful that any residual wet spots on
roadways/bridges/overpasses will refreeze Wednesday night as we dip
back into subfreezing temperatures.
Near the end of the week an upper level trough will deepen from the
Four Corners and will eject another cold front towards SE Texas.
Fear not, despite another cold front temperatures are still expected
to gradually warm as onshore flow quickly returns late Friday into
early Saturday. All in all, freezing temperatures at night/early
morning should come to an end Thursday night into Friday morning.
Fridays lows will be much warmer as temperatures jump into the
upper 30s to low 40s. By the weekend, low temperatures will be in
the 50s.
Similarly, highs will see a similar upward trend with highs in the
60s over the weekend. With the return of onshore flow, we will also
see the return of moisture ahead of the next frontal boundary. This
will result in an increased chance of showers over the weekend. With
it being later in the period there is uncertainty on whether or not
the front will push through the area. At the very least, model
consensus is still trending to a rainy weekend.
Adams
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 1133 AM CST Mon Jan 20 2025
All sites at VFR, winds becoming onshore, and visible satellite
shows cloud deck enveloping the entirety of SE TX. Expect CIGS to
lower through the afternoon, becoming MVFR area-wide this evening.
Still on target to see first precipitation reaching the ground
around 06Z, spreading from SW to NE. Soundings show a mostly
frozen and saturated profile, outside of a shallow warm nose in
the mid-levels...suggesting mostly snow with sleet mixed in. This
should transition to primarily snow after midnight for all
terminals (confidence is increasing in SN for GLS terminal as
well). Will remain windy through the majority of the period. Winds
look to relax Tuesday afternoon.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 303 PM CST Mon Jan 20 2025
Strong northeasterly winds will continue through the rest of the
afternoon and evening, with gusts to above 30 kts at times. Gale
conditions are expected to emerge late tonight, and peak Tuesday
morning. The current Small Craft Advisory will upgrade to a Gale
Warning for all area waters from midnight tonight until early
Tuesday evening. Continued advisories may be needed beyond that time
as winds and seas gradually subside. Low water levels may be an
issue at times as well. In addition to these hazards a mix of frozen
precipitation is expected on the bays and near the coast late
tonight into Tuesday afternoon.
Adams
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL) 26 37 15 43 / 60 30 0 0
Houston (IAH) 26 34 17 40 / 80 80 0 0
Galveston (GLS) 29 34 28 45 / 90 90 0 0
&&
.HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST Tuesday for TXZ163-164-
176.
Cold Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Tuesday
for TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-300-
313-335>338-436>439.
Extreme Cold Watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday
morning for TXZ163-164-176>179-195>200-210>214-226-227-
235>238-300-313-335>338-436>439.
Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST Tuesday for TXZ177>179-
195>200-210>214-226-227-235>238-300-313-335>338-436>439.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until midnight CST tonight for GMZ330-335-
350-355-370-375.
Gale Warning from midnight tonight to 6 PM CST Tuesday for
GMZ330-335-350-355-370-375.
&&
SHORT TERM...Cady
LONG TERM....Adams
AVIATION...Adams
MARINE...AdamsThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
17 winter storm, 9 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
A trained storm spotter reported light flurries around the Crockett and Weches area.
A member of the public reported a sleet and snow mix falling in Groveton.
Broadcast media reported light snow falling at the Buc-ees gas station in Madisonville.
A member of the public reported snow falling near Huntsville via mPING.
A trained storm spotter initially reported light sleet south of College Station on the night of the 20th. The next morning on the 21st, another trained storm spotter measured 1 inch of snow near Bryan.
A member of the public reported sleet near Caldwell via mPING.
A mixture of snow and sleet was reported across portions of Grimes on the night of the 20th by the public. By around 10 PM, Texas Department of Transportation reported patches of snow and ice on bridges and overpasses along Highway 6 in Navasota. |Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. The highest snowfall totals in the county were broadly found to be in areas south of Navasota. A member of the public shared photos on social media, showing 1 inch of snowfall in Plantersville. CoCoRaHS observation station TX-GM-11, located south of Navasota, measured 2.5 inches of snowfall.
Numerous reports of winter precipitation were received from Washington county. Initially, a member of the public reported snow just outside of Brenham via mPING on the night of the 20th. Later that night, the Texas Department of Transportation reported patches of ice and snow on bridges and overpasses along US 290 west of Brenham. Patches of ice and snow were also reported on bridges and overpasses along FM 3456 southwest of Brenham. Winter precipitation tapered off during the late morning hours of the 21st. CoCoRaHS station TX-WA-24, TX-WA-27, TX-WA-28 all measured 1 inch of snow in Washington county.
A member of the public reported snow just north of Cleveland on the night of the 20th. Later that night, the Texas Department of Transportation reported patches of ice and snow on bridges and overpasses along US 59 between Cleveland and Shepherd.
Numerous reported of winter precipitation were received from Montgomery county. Winter precipitation began on the evening on the 20th as members of the public reported sleet and snow near Conroe and the Woodlands. Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. Reports from the public, CoCoRaHS stations TX-MNG-82, TX-MNG-90, TX-MNG-121, and a NWS Employee showed 1.0-3.0 inches of snowfall across the county.
On the evening of the 20th, a trained storm spotter reported sleet and mixed precipitation near the intersection of Highways 290 and FM 362. Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. Afterwards, a member of the public reported 2.5 inches of snowfall near Brookshire.
A member of the public initially reported sleet southwest of Sealy via mPING during the evening of the 20th. Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. CoCoRaHS stations TX-AS-5, TX-AS-22 and TX-AS-33 measured snowfall totals around 1.8-2.0 inches.
A member of the public initially reported sleet just south of Weimar along FM 155 via mPING during the evening of the 20th. Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. CoCoRaHS station TX-CLR-6 measured 1.7 inches of snowfall.
A member of the public reported freezing drizzle just east of Hungerford via mPING during the late evening of the 20th.
A member of the public initially reported sleet just north of Manvel via mPING during the evening of the 20th. Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. Additional reports from the public showed snowfall totals around 1.7-3.0 inches.
Numerous reported of winter precipitation were received from Fort Bend county. Winter precipitation began on the evening on the 20th as a member of the public reported sleet and graupel near Missouri City. Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. Reports from the public and CoCoRaHS stations TX-FB-5 and TX-FB-22 showed 2.0-4.0 inches of snowfall across the county. The highest amount was measured near Richmond.
Multiple reports of snow were received across Polk county. Initially, a member of the public reported snow flurries just outside of Livingston on the night of the 20th. Snowfall rates increased through the early morning of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. Afterwards, an emergency coordinator reported 1.5 inches of snowfall on the ground on the east side of Lake Livingston. CoCoRaHS Station TX-PL-16 reported 2 inches of snow in Livingston. CoCoRaHS Station TX-PL-40 reported 1.8 inches of snow south of Livingston.
During the afternoon of the 21st, law enforcement and a member of the public measured 1.5-2.0 inches of snowfall near Lake Jackson in the aftermath of a heavy snowstorm.
Numerous reported of snowfall were received from northern Liberty county. Precipitation began on the evening on the 20th as members of the public reported snow flurries on highway 321 between Dayton and Cleveland. Precipitation rates increased overnight, then diminished during the late morning. Reports from the public, CoCoRaHS station TX-LR-20 and an Emergency manager showed 2.0-5.0 inches of snowfall across the northern portion of the county.
During the afternoon of the 21st, a member of the public measured 4.5 inches of snowfall near the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge in the aftermath of a heavy snowstorm.
During the afternoon of the 21st, a member of the public measured 1 inch of snowfall on Galveston Island after a winter storm passed through the region.
Numerous reported of snowfall were received from chambers county. Precipitation began on the evening on the 20th as a local fire department reported snow flurries in Anahuac.|Precipitation rates increased overnight, then diminished during the late morning. Reports from the public, CoCoRaHS station TX-CHM-15 and Emergency managers showed 3.0-5.0 inches of snowfall across the area. The highest snowfall amount was measured near Hankamer.
Winter precipitation began on the evening on the 20th as a member of the public reported sleet near Friendswood. Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. Reports from the public, a NWS employee and a retired NWS employee showed 2.3-3.0 inches of snowfall across the area. The highest amount was measured in Santa Fe.
Winter precipitation began on the evening on the 20th as a NWS employee reported light sleet falling at the NWS Houston-Galveston Office in Dickinson. Precipitation rates increased overnight, becoming predominantly snow during the early morning hours of the 21st, then diminished during the late morning. One NWS employee measured 0.1875 inches of an ice and sleet mixture accumulated on their personal snow table early in the morning. Later reports from the public, CoCoRaHS station TX-GV-76, a HAM radio operator, a trained storm spotter and multiple NWS employees showed 1.75-3.2 inches of snowfall across the area. The highest amounts were measured around Dickinson and League City.
Numerous snowfall measurements were reported across the coastal area of Harris country on the 21st in the aftermath of a winter storm. Measurements taken by members of the public, NWS employees and an emergency manager showed 2.0-6.0 inches of snowfall across the area. The highest amount was measured in La Porte.
Countless reports of winter precipitation were received throughout the inland Harris county area during strong winter storm. The storm began on the evening on the 20th as numerous reports came in of sleet, flurries and ice pellets falling across the greater Houston area. Precipitation increased overnight, with the Texas Department of Transportation reporting road closers on key roadways such as US-290 and the Beltway 8. Precipitation would become predominantly snowfall during the early morning hours of the 21st with the heaviest accumulations occurring through the late morning, tapering off into the afternoon. Countless snowfall reports were received throughout inland Harris county with 0.9-4.5 inches of snowfall measured across the area. CoCoRaHS station TX-HRR-204 measured 2.5 inches and TX-HRR-232 measured 3.5 inches. The observer at IAH measured 1.2 inches of snowfall. The observer at HOU measured 3.0 inches of snowfall. The highest snowfall total in the area was measured at CO-OP site HWET2. Law enforcement reported one cold related fatality in a restaurant parking lot on South Fry Road in Katy on the 21st. News media also reported one indirect fatality in northeast Harris county, where a woman died in a car crash during the late evening of the 20th due to poor road conditions.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Storm, Inland Harris | 2025-01-21 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct | |
| Winter Storm, Inland Harris | 2025-01-20 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, January 2025
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: 1230508, 1230509, 1230510, 1230511, 1230512, 1230513, 1230514, 1230515, 1230518, 1230520, 1230521, 1230522, 1230523, 1230524, 1230529, 1230530, 1230533, 1230534, 1230535, 1230536, 1230632, 1230888, 1231471, 1231472, 1231473, 1231497.