When we grow up, snow is still cool and pretty, but it can also be a massive pain. Slippery roads, freezing temperatures, and difficulties getting from place to place. You may only consider snow in Northern states like New York or Vermont, but does it snow in Texas?
Texas is right down in the south of the United States and is known for its traditionally warm climate.
As Texas always seems warm, we don’t expect snow there at all. In fact, it might be one of the states you consider moving to if you want to get away from the snow! Occasionally, Texas is covered in snow, but how often?
Does It Really Snow In Texas?
Texas shares a southern border with Mexico, so it can be extremely hard to believe that it actually does snow there. As the second-largest state in the United States with a large surface area, Western Texas receives the heaviest snowfall compared to southern Texas.
South Texas, the Gulf Coast, and East Texas receive minimal snowfall throughout the year due to their warmer climates.
How Often Does It Snow In Texas?
In Texas, it really doesn’t snow very often. It has been recorded that each year, Texas gets around 1 day or less of snow.
West Texas gets most of the snow throughout Texas with some areas receiving 10 inches of snowfall in the year. However, most of the time, Texas receives around one inch of snow in the year.
As Texas doesn’t experience much snowfall throughout the year, it is the perfect place to visit all year round. The temperature is usually mild due to the naturally warm temperatures and the lack of snow doesn’t interfere with any activities that have to be canceled due to heavy snowfall.
Where Does It Snow In Texas?
As mentioned above, some parts of Texas do receive annual snowfall but it is rare that it is very heavy. Here are some places in Texas that have light snowfall that you can go and visit.
Big Bend National Park, West Texas
West Texas receives snowfall annually, and Big Bend National Park adapts beautifully in the winter. Although it doesn’t receive a lot of snow, the park is home to the Chisos Mountains which are in elevated areas and can be seen coated in snow.
The higher the altitude, the more likely you are to see snow, so the mountains in Big Bend are perfect for seeing snow. There are trails where you can see more snow-covered areas of Big Bend National Park at a higher altitude.
Amarillo, Texas Panhandle
Amarillo can receive up to eighteen inches of snowfall a year that can cover the Palo Duro Canyon State and the rocky desert in snow.
The reason that Amarillo receives such heavy snowfall is due to its elevation of 3,600ft which gives it a higher chance of experiencing heavier snowfall compared to the rest of Texas.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, El Paso
Home to the highest peaks in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park in El Paso is guaranteed to experience snowfall due to the high altitude in the park.
The elevation in the park is between 3,000 and 8,000ft so there is a lot of snowfall on the peaks in the park. There are also hiking trails that are in high-altitude areas of the park so you can further experience the snowfall.
What Are The Lowest Temperatures In Texas?
As we consider Texas to be a warm state due to it being in the South and sharing a border with Mexico, it is hard to imagine Texas experiencing colder temperatures.
However, there have been some incredibly cold temperatures recorded in Texas over the years. In 1899 in Tulia, Texas, the temperature was recorded at -24 degrees Fahrenheit. The same was recorded in Seminole, Texas, in 1933.
Have Texas Ever Had Snowstorms?
Texas has had its fair share of snowstorms over the years. Although Texas records low snowfall every year, there have been strong snowstorms that have sent Texas through the lowest temperatures and heaviest snowfalls they have ever experienced.
February 2021
The most recent snowstorm that Texas experienced was in February 2021 where Texans had shortages of power, heat, and water. The storm affected the whole state as Austin suffered below-freezing temperatures for 7 days and Waco for 9 days.
February 1956
In February 1956, north Texas suffered a heavy snowstorm that saw Vega covered in 61 inches of snow. Although it isn’t rare for north Texas to experience snowfall, this was an exceptionally heavy fall.
December 1983
In December 1983, it was an incredibly cold winter for Texas.
In Lubbock, temperatures were recorded as below freezing for 207 hours, and 4 weather stations recorded the temperature as 32 degrees Fahrenheit for the longest period of time. Dallas-Fort Worth airport recorded temperature below freezing for 296 days.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, there is regular snowfall in Texas but it is usually found in the north part of the state or in high altitude mountain areas.
The snowfall in Texas is usually light and doesn’t exceed more than between 1-10 inches, although there have been records of heavy snowstorms that have recorded up to 61 inches of snow.
It isn’t unusual for the northern parts of Texas to experience snowfall, but it is unusual for the whole of Texas to experience heavy snowfall.
Although Texas is thought to be a warm state as it shares a border with Mexico, there are high peaks and altitudes that show Texas can experience snow but not to a high degree.
Overall, it usually snows 1 day or less a year in Texas, but occasionally, the state suffers from a heavy snowstorm. When Texas has its usual light snowfall, it can be seen in the mountain ranges showing off the beauty of Texas.
Hi, my name is Robert Miller, and I have lived in Texas all my life. I am proud of my state, and decided to set up this site to share its beauty with others. Through Texans United, I will be talking readers through everything they need to know about Texas. From the best places to eat, and sites to visit, to its history and useful information.
