NWS Lubbock

2015 (26th-28th): The worst blizzard ever recorded on the Texas South Plains developed this Christmas Weekend. Although
snow totals were not necessarily the greatest ever recorded in most areas, the sheer intensity and duration of strong and
even damaging winds for about 30 consecutive hours made this event a true once-in-a-lifetime storm for many area
residents. Following a strong cold front early in the day on the 26th, high north winds unfolded during the evening hours
well ahead of the first vestiges of wintry precipitation. These winds downed scores of utility lines and left many rural
residents of the South Plains and southwest Panhandle without power. Some trees were even blown over from several hours
of wind gusts of 50-65 mph! Wind gusts at Anton and Olton peaked at 67 mph during the evening before wintry precipitation
developed and quickly changed to heavy snow late in the night. Shortly before midnight on the 26th, whiteout conditions
engulfed most of the Caprock. Although a lull in snow occurred on the morning of the 27th, blizzard conditions still
continued in many areas from strong north winds and blowing snow. A second round of heavy snow arrived later in the day on
the 27th before before a second round of heavy . Off the Caprock, precipitation remained mostly sleet and freezing rain
for the duration of this Christmas Weekend Storm, but many power outages occurred once again in these parts nearly one
month after the crippling Thanksgiving Weekend ice storm. On the Caprock, snow accumulated to a record of 11.2 inches in
Lubbock with 20 inches in Friona. Drifts of 6-10 feet were common from winds averaging around 30 mph for the duration of
the 2.5 day storm. Regional travel became impossible from snow-clogged roads and Lubbock International Airport was closed
from the evening of the 26th through the morning of the 28th. Thousands of post-Christmas travelers were stranded and
even USPS offices region wide suspended all service on the 28th and 29th. Mail service to some rural residents did not
resume until the following weekend! Thanks to accurate forecasting of a potentially historic winter storm days in advance
by the staff at NWS Lubbock, emergency managers, city leaders and residents were well prepared for this multi-day storm
and stocked up on resources well in advance. One direct fatality occurred in Lubbock as a homeless man succombed to
hypothermia. However, no fatal car accidents and very few vehicle accidents were noted as many motorists that even dared
to travel simply became stuck in deep snow drifts. The worst monetary losses were dealt to dairy farmers from Littlefield
northwest to Friona who lost a staggering 15,000 head of cattle worth about $20M. Total damages and economic impacts
exceeded $200M. Had schools not been on Christmas break, the week following the storm would have dealt even greater strain
as many secondary streets and roads remained too trecherous for buses. Countless businesses were closed for several days
after the storm.