January 8th, 2024: Blizzard in the northern and western Panhandles

Snow and Blizzard

Map of estimated snowfall amounts during the January 8th, 2024 blizzard based on reports we received. Snowfall amounts are highly uncertain due to the high amount of drifting that occurred during the event. (Reports collated by NWS; map by NWS GAZPACHO)

Due to the strong winds, accurately measuring snowfall was a challenge. We greatly thank trained spotters, CoCoRaHs observers, and COOP observers for their efforts.

Wind

Map of peak gusts across the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles on January 8th, 2024. (Reports collected by NWS Amarillo using NWS/FAA ASOS/AWOS, West Texas Mesonet, and Oklahoma Mesonet equipment)

Photos & Video

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds in Dumas, Texas (Damian and Kandra Dominguez)	Snow and low visibility in Stratford, Texas (Savannah Copley)	Snowy porch and canine friend around 10 miles west of Hooker, Oklahoma (Lori Judd Kraft)	Trucker stuck in very low visibility between Dumas and Hartley (Sam C. Bezner)

Snow drifts in Dalhart, Texas (Amanda Miller)	Snow covered lawn in Boise City, Oklahoma (Dakota Hawkins)	Dangerously low visibility due to blizzard in Cactus, Texas (Jonathon Faux)	Reduced visibility and snowy roads in White Deer, Texas (Wendy Hull)

Snow drifts on porch in Dumas, Texas (Brittany Jones)	Blowing snow infiltrating covered porch in Turpin, Oklahoma (Lluvia Gomez Drennan)	Low visibility due to blizzard between Canyon and Umbarger on FM 1062 (Christina Green-Farley)	Snowy porch in Channing, Texas (Squawma Eaton)

Snow covering outdoor furniture despite a covered porch in Dumas, Texas (Melissa Bennett-Erlenbach)	Mounds of snow on grill and outdoor furniture in Dalhart, Texas (Nikkole Nelson)	Very low visibility due to blizzard conditions in Hereford, Texas (Meghann Owen)	Very low visibility due to blizzard conditions east of Dalhart, Texas (Tyler Smith)

Impacts and Safety

Don't drive through blizzards!

The January 8th, 2024 blizzard resulted in numerous motorists getting stuck and requiring rescue. These blizzard conditions were not a surprise and had been called for in our forecasts for at least 48 hours prior. At the height of the blizzard, all roads in Cimarron County were closed and rescue attempts had to be halted due to the hazardous conditions, stranding persons in their cars. At the request of Cimarron County Emergency Management, we issued a Civil Emergency Message to convey that first responders would be unable to assist and reiterating that travel should be postponed.

Timeline:

Saturday, January 6th, 2024 @ 3:26 AM CST - Initial Winter Storm Watch for possible blizzard conditions on January 8th issued

Sunday, January 7th, 2024 @ 1:33 PM CST - Winter Storm Watch is converted to a Blizzard Warning covering 3 AM Monday, January 8th to 6 AM Tuesday, January 9th

Monday, January 8th, 2024 morning hours - scores of motorists attempt to drive through the blizzard and become stuck, with rescue not possible in some cases

Monday, January 8th, 2024 @ 1:43 PM CST - rescue attempts in Cimarron County abandoned; Civil Emergency Message issued

We issue Blizzard Warnings when we forecast snow in the presence of strong winds, conditions that lead to under a quarter mile of visibility and life threatening travel. Roads may become impassable due to drifting. Visibility from under a quarter mile to zero is expected in a Blizzard Warning, potentially leading to death due to car collisions. In many cases, rescue becomes impossible until conditions improve, potentially leading to death from hypothermia as stuck vehicles run out of fuel. In some cases, drifting blocks tailpipes of stuck cars, resulting in death due to carbon monoxide inhalation. In summary, attempting to drive through a blizzard may lead to death. Don't drive through a blizzard.

Visibility in a blizzard is extremely low. If a car in front of you has slowed or stopped, you may not be able to see them until it is too late. If a snow drift is covering the road, you may not see it in time to avoid it and could get stuck. Photo credit: Tyler Smith

This large and capable truck nonetheless got stuck between Dumas and Hartley on January 8th. How would a smaller car fare? Not well. See the poor visibility? First responders may not be able to get to you. You'd could be stuck hoping you have enough fuel to last for potentially 12+ hours. Photo credit: Sam C. Bezner

A Blizzard Warning is the most serious winter weather product we issue. Do not travel!

Environment

A large scale upper trough quickly translated eastward and deepened as it approached, driving the development of a strong low pressure system east of the Rockies. Strong winds at the ground developed leading to low visibility as snow fell, resulting in blizzard conditions in the northwestern Panhandles.

Near-storm environment summary.

Surface pressure analysis during the January 8th, 2024 blizzard event. The solid lines are isobars, lines of constant pressure. When these are closer together, stronger winds result. Notice the tightly packed isobars over the Panhandles on January 8th.	Another 700mb analysis, this time focusing on available moisture. Sufficient moisture was wrapped around the low pressure center for snow to occur in the Panhandles.	Analysis of surface wet bulb temperature. In the absence of above freezing air aloft (sometimes called a "warm nose"), these at or below freezing suggest the dominant precip type will be snow. With little warm air aloft and these at or below 32 for much of the event, nearly all precip fell as snow.