With cold air in place across South-Central Texas an area of low pressure over the western Gulf moved northward along the coast. This brought warm, moist air to the region.
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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 EWX wrote it up.
With cold air in place across South-Central Texas an area of low pressure over the western Gulf moved northward along the coast. This brought warm, moist air to the region. Isentropic lift around the north and west sides of the low was sufficient to generate precipitation. Warmer air riding over the cold boundary layer produced a mix of precipitation types and made travel difficult in the Hill Country, I-35 Corridor, and Coastal Plains.
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 Jan 20, 5:30 PM CST, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX 530 PM CST Mon Jan 20 2025 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Tuesday night) Issued at 236 PM CST Mon Jan 20 2025 - Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect tonight through Tuesday - Accumulating snow, sleet, and ice will make travel difficult and inadvisable within the Winter Storm Warning area - Cold Weather Advisory in effect through Wednesday morning with hazardous temperatures and wind chill values. Protect People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes from the cold weather Cloud cover has developed much quicker, nearly 6 hours ahead of what hi res guidance was indicating. This has acted to allow the atmosphere to respond and moisten perhaps a bit quicker than previously thought. Very light echoes are noted on regional radar imagery early this afternoon to the south and east of San Antonio. For now, this is not hitting the ground and likely remaining virga, which is precip that evaporates in the sub-cloud layer before reaching the surface. It is likely that it will take several hours before any precip starts to make it to the surface. Latest 12Z CAMs and global guidance, in additional to the NBM have continued to advertise a very messy winter weather event unfolding this evening through the overnight hours. One of the more recent trends is for precip to end a bit sooner, likely out of our area as early as 12- 15Z Tuesday. This has acted to limited totals somewhat, and we will continue to advertise between 0.5 and 1.5" of snow/sleet for Austin/San Marcos areas and points east to La Grange. Some freezing rain could briefly mix in, but primarily snow and sleet is expected in these areas. Further south, the trend for perhaps more snow and sleet rather than freezing rain and ice has increased, but freezing rain and sleet will initially be a problem along and south of the I-10/Highway 90 corridor this evening. With temperatures a few degrees colder this afternoon than previously forecast, due in part to the earlier cloud cover, freezing drizzle/rain may start as early as 5 or 6pm this evening. In any matter, with a very dry dendritic growth zone in the -10 to -20C layer, precip will be highly dependent on temperatures between the sfc and 700mb. There is still a subtle warm nose at the 700-750mb level, which will result in more freezing drizzle and rain earlier on, mainly before midnight. After that, most precip should come in the form of sleet/snow but some freezing drizzle may still mix in. We expect between a trace to .10" of ice accumulation south of the I-10 Corridor. By sunrise, we should see the precip starting to slide eastward and out of our region, but some remaining in the Coastal Plains through about 15Z. Temperatures will take a little bit of time to warm back above freezing, but all locations look to be back to above freezing by 19-20Z Tuesday. Clouds may move out a bit quicker, but trends will need to be monitored to see how much time we'll have to melt any freshly fallen snow/sleet/freezing rain. Yesterday at this time, clouds looked like they may not clear until around or after sunset, but now, with a slightly faster trend in guidance, clouds should break and clear as early as 21-22Z for much of the CWA. That means hopefully more melting and less refreezing after sunset. The coldest night of the season is expected Tuesday night, where any remaining snow cover will make it even colder, particularly over the Coastal Plains. Refreezing of snow or sleet could also create slick or icy spots, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and elevated surfaces until we get back above freezing Wednesday. && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 236 PM CST Mon Jan 20 2025 - Very cold Wednesday morning with potential for slick/icy roads - Hard freezes continue Wednesday night and again Thursday night - Slow warming trend through the end of the week Very cold temperatures are in store Wednesday morning, with widespread lows in the teens with lower 20s along the Rio Grande. Depending on how much wintry precipitation falls and the amount of melting, we could still be dealing with some travel concerns Wednesday morning. With such a cold start to the day, temperatures through Wednesday morning are likely to remain below freezing across most of the region. We do expect mostly clear skies and this will help boost afternoon highs into the mid 40s to lower 50s. Low temperatures Wednesday night into Thursday morning will drop into the mid to upper 20s, so another hard freeze is in store for most of the region. An upper level trough axis will move out of the southern Rockies into northern and central Texas on Thursday. A cold front will accompany this upper trough and is expected to move through during the morning hours. Northerly winds and drier air will move through, but with mostly sunny skies, we should still be able to warm into the lower to mid 50s. As we head into Friday and Saturday, we'll see a return of southerly flow in the low-levels, with gusty conditions in the afternoon. This will continue the warming trend with afternoon highs in the mid 50s to lower 60s Friday, warming into the 60s to near 70 on Saturday. We will keep the forecast dry for most areas through Saturday. The exception being along the Highway 77 corridor where a few showers may develop Saturday afternoon and evening. Rain chances expand back westward into the I-35 corridor on Sunday and Monday as an upper level low drops southward through the western U.S. && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 528 PM CST Mon Jan 20 2025 PIREPs report consistent light to moderate rime and clear icing between FL100-FL030 near AUS/SAT. Top-down moistening will lower CIGs to MVFR at all TAF sites tonight with icing throughout the cloud deck. Precip timing remains on track. Expect -RA to -FZDZ at onset 01-02Z at KSAT/KSSF/KAUS, followed by -RAPL 03-06Z, -PL from 06-09Z, then -SNPL from 09-12Z. However, -FZDZ is possible at KSAT/KSSF if rates remain very light. Brief -SNPL is possible from 06Z-12Z at KDRT. Precip rates should be light for all TAF sites with surface dry layer. Precip will taper quickly after 12Z Tuesday with VFR CIGs returning after 15Z. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Austin Camp Mabry 26 39 21 50 / 70 20 0 0 Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport 26 38 16 48 / 80 30 0 0 New Braunfels Muni Airport 26 37 18 50 / 80 30 0 0 Burnet Muni Airport 24 37 20 53 / 50 10 0 0 Del Rio Intl Airport 29 41 23 55 / 50 0 0 0 Georgetown Muni Airport 25 38 19 50 / 60 20 0 0 Hondo Muni Airport 26 40 18 47 / 80 10 0 0 San Marcos Muni Airport 25 38 17 47 / 80 30 0 0 La Grange - Fayette Regional 26 36 14 46 / 80 50 0 0 San Antonio Intl Airport 26 39 21 47 / 80 20 0 0 Stinson Muni Airport 29 39 20 48 / 80 30 0 0 && .EWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST Wednesday for Atascosa-Bandera- Bastrop-Bexar-Blanco-Burnet-Caldwell-Comal-De Witt-Dimmit-Edwards- Fayette-Frio-Gillespie-Gonzales-Guadalupe-Hays-Karnes-Kendall-Kerr- Kinney-Lavaca-Lee-Llano-Maverick-Medina-Real-Travis-Uvalde-Val Verde-Williamson-Wilson-Zavala. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST Tuesday for Bandera-Blanco- Burnet-Dimmit-Edwards-Frio-Gillespie-Kendall-Kerr-Kinney-Llano- Maverick-Medina-Real-Uvalde-Val Verde-Zavala. Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST Tuesday for Atascosa-Bastrop- Bexar-Caldwell-Comal-De Witt-Fayette-Gonzales-Guadalupe-Hays-Karnes- Lavaca-Lee-Travis-Williamson-Wilson. && Short-Term...TRAN Long-Term...Brady Aviation...TRAN
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
19 winter storm, 7 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Total accumulation was 0.2 in Leming and Poteet.
Sleet began to fall during the evening on the 20th. By late evening there were patches of ice on Hwy 16 and Hwy 173 that caused only minor impacts.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Total accumulation in the city of Bastrop was 0.4 to 0.6 reported by CoCoRaHS observers. There was also a report of 0.4 in McDade.
A mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Snow became the dominant precipitation type, and total accumulations ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 around the county. CoCoRaHS observers reported 0.3 in Timberwood Park, 0.2 in northern San Antonio, Castle Hills, and Shavano Park, 0.1 in Castle Hills, Grey Forest, Helotes, and Elmendorf. At the San Antonio International Airport there was 0.1 of snow and a trace of freezing rain.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Total accumulation was 0.8 in Hye.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Total accumulation was 0.3 in Spicewood.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Total accumulation was 1.2 in Lockhart and 0.5 in Luling.
Snow and sleet started falling during the evening on the 20th. Snow became the main precipitation type, and total accumulation ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 around the county. CoCoRaHS observers reported 0.5 in Fischer, 0.4 in Bulverde, 0.2 in Canyon Lake, and 0.1 to 0.2 in New Braunfels.
Snow and sleet started falling during the evening on the 20th. Sleet caused icy spots on I-10 and Hwy 71 before the precipitation turned over to all snow. Total accumulations reported by CoCoRaHS observers were 0.5 to 0.7 in La Grange. The Emergency Manager also reported 3.0 in Fayetteville.
Snow and freezing rain started falling during the evening on the 20th. Freezing rain caused icy spots on numerous bridges and overpasses around the county before the precipitation turned over to all snow. The Emergency Manager reported total accumulation of 1.5 in the city of Gonzales.
Snow and sleet started falling during the evening on the 20th. A trace of sleet was reported at the National Weather Service forecast office in New Braunfels before the precipitation turned over to all snow. Total accumulations ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 around the county. The NWS office reported 0.2. An NWS employee reported 0.3 and a CO-OP observer reported 0.3 in Geronimo. CoCoRaHS observers reported 0.6 in Seguin and 0.3 in Cibolo.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Total accumulations ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 around the county. CoCoRaHS observers reported 0.6 to 1.0 in Wimberley, 0.5 to 0.75 in San Marcos, 0.8 in Woodcreek, 0.7 in Henly and 0.6 in Buda.
Snow and freezing rain started falling during the evening on the 20th. The freezing rain caused some patchy ice on FM 627 north of Karnes City that caused only minor impacts. Precipitation turned over to all snow, and the CoCoRaHS observer reported total accumulation of 0.3 in Karnes City.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Total accumulations ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 around the county. The CO-OP observer in Boerne reported 0.4. CoCoRaHS observers reported 0.3 in Bergheim and 0.1 in Kendalia.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. A CoCoRaHS observer reported 0.3 in Ingram. TxDOT reported icy patches on several roads around the county including I-10.
Snow and sleet started falling during the evening on the 20th. TxDOT reported icy patches on bridges and overpasses on Hwy 77 and FM 523 in Hallettsville before the precipitation changed to all snow. A CoCoRaHS observer reported 1.0 in Moulton.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. A CoCoRaHS observer reported total accumulation of 0.5 in Dime Box.
Snow started falling during the evening on the 20th. Total accumulations ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 around the county. CoCoRaHS observers reported 0.4 to 0.8 in Austin, 0.5 in Tanglewood Forest, Leander, Lakeway, and Lago Vista. The CO-OP observer in Jollyville reported 0.7. During the morning of the 21st, Hwy 71 at the Blanco County line was reported impassable.
Snow and sleet started falling during the evening on the 20th. The sleet caused some icy spots before changing over to all snow. The Emergency Manager reported 0.1 of snow in Leander. CoCoRaHS observers reported 0.9 in Georgetown and 0.3 in Round Rock. One of the Austin TV stations passed along a report of 1.0 from a viewer in Taylor.
Snow and sleet started falling during the evening on the 20th. There was some light sleet accumulation on elevated surfaces in La Vernia before the precipitation changed over to all snow. CoCoRaHS observers reported 1.1 in Floresville, 0.3 to 0.6 in La Vernia.
Freezing rain began to fall during the evening on the 20th. By late evening TxDOT reported patches of ice on bridges and overpasses on FM 884 and FM 2980 in Yorktown that caused only minor impacts.
Freezing rain began to fall during the evening on the 20th. By late evening light icing was reported on decks in Moore.
Snow began to fall during the evening on the 20th. By late evening there was a dusting in Fredericksburg.
Snow began to fall during the evening on the 20th. A CoCoRaHS observer near Buchanan Dam reported 0.1 of snow with only minor impacts.
Snow began to fall during the evening on the 20th. A CoCoRaHS observer near Castroville reported 0.1 of snow with only minor impacts.
Snow began to fall during the evening on the 20th. A CoCoRaHS observer in Sabinal reported a trace of snow.
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: 1232243, 1232244, 1232247, 1232249, 1232250, 1232251, 1232252, 1232253, 1232280, 1232282, 1232289, 1232291, 1232292, 1232295, 1232297, 1232298, 1232299, 1232315, 1232338, 1232346, 1232355, 1232363, 1232365, 1232367, 1232425, 1232428.