| Snow blankets the Rolling Plains and southwest Texas Panhandle 4-5 February 2020 |
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| Snowy scene in Friona on Tuesday afternoon (4 February 2020). The image is courtesy of KVII. | |||||||||||
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Monday, February 3rd, was a warm day, up in the 60s and 70s, but this quickly changed as a strong cold front moved through that evening. By the morning of the 4th, temperatures were below freezing across most of the South Plains region. To make matters even more interesting, a concentrated area of lift emerged from east-central New Mexico late in the morning and persisted across the southwest Texas Panhandle through much of the afternoon. |
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| Regional radar animation valid from 11:08 am to 12:18 pm on 4 February. | |||||||||||
| Moderate to heavy snow fell out of the concentrated band of precipitation from Friona through Dimmitt and Tulia. Snow totals of 3 to 5 inches were common by the time this snow band finally diminished late on the 4th. The heavy snow created tricky travel, though it did make for a pretty sight too. | |||||||||||
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| Snow falling in Bovina (left) and Friona (right) Tuesday afternoon (4 February 2020). The pictures are courtesy of Steve Cobb. | |||||||||||
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| This long-duration shield of snow was directed at the Rolling Plains, where snow persisted from Tuesday night through much of the day Wednesday before finally ending by evening. Most of the central and southern Rolling Plains tallied an impressive 6 to 12+ inches of snow, double to triple their average seasonal snow totals. | |||||||||||
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| Close up view of a snowflake shortly after falling in Lubbock on 5 February 2020. The picture was taken by Jason Jordan. | |||||||||||
| All of the snow paralyzed travel, but it did result in rare wintry scenes all across the Rolling Plains, including in Jayton and Aspermont, as shown below. | |||||||||||
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| Deep snow in Jayton (left) and near Lake Alan Henry (right) on February 5th and 6th, respectively. The pictures are courtesy of our COOP observers. | |||||||||||
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Clearing skies, light winds and a fresh snow pack led to a bitterly cold night. Many spots with the deepest snow woke up to temperatures in the single digits Thursday morning. The West Texas Mesonet sites near Lomax, Colorado City and Seymour all bottom out below zero. Even where the snow was much lighter, like in Lubbock, lows still reached the lower teens. |
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| Visible satellite image captured on 6 February 2020. | |||||||||||
| The mostly clear skies on the 6th also allowed for a beautiful visible satellite image (above), which clearly illustrates where the bands of heaviest snow fell the previous two days. A relatively narrow band is clearly apparent from east-central New Mexico into the south-central Texas Panhandle, which fell during the day of the 4th. The other larger area of snow spans from the northern Permian Basin into the southern South Plains, much of the Rolling Plains and off into western North Texas and central Oklahoma. | |||||||||||
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| Snow totals collected by the National Weather Service between February 4th and 6th. A contoured map displaying snow totals can be VIEWED HERE. | |||||||||||
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The biggest snow winners stretched from around Big Spring through the southern Rolling Plains, where totals near and above 10 inches were common. Jayton was the overall winner, measuring a whopping 14 inches. On the other side of the spectrum, many locations between the two distinct bands of snow largely missed out from the west-central South Plains into the southeast Texas Panhandle. Lubbock was on the northern fringe of the heaviest band, with 3-4 inches falling on the southeast side of the county and only a dusting on the northwest side of the county. Officially, the Lubbock Airport record a half inch of snow, while southern parts of town generally saw 1-2 inches. A summary of the snow reports gathered from around the region can viewed below. |
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PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LUBBOCK TX
805 PM CST WED FEB 05 2020
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0630 PM SNOW FRIONA 34.64N 102.72W
02/04/2020 M5.0 INCH PARMER TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0635 PM SNOW MULESHOE 34.23N 102.73W
02/04/2020 M2.7 INCH BAILEY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0730 PM SNOW HART 34.39N 102.11W
02/04/2020 M4.0 INCH CASTRO TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0730 PM SNOW MULESHOE WILDLIFE REFUG 33.95N 102.75W
02/04/2020 M1.0 INCH BAILEY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
1245 AM SNOW POST 33.19N 101.38W
02/05/2020 E2.0 INCH GARZA TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
THE GARZA COUNTY SHERIFF`S OFFICE ESTIMATED AT LEAST 2
INCHES SNOW DEPTH IN POST. ALSO, THEY REPORTED A VEHICLE
SLID OFF THE ROAD NEAR JUSTICEBURG LAST EVENING.
0200 AM SNOW 4 NNW WOODROW 33.49N 101.87W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS EMPLOYEE
0327 AM SNOW TAHOKA 33.16N 101.79W
02/05/2020 E4.0 INCH LYNN TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
SNOWING HARD
0338 AM SNOW SPUR 33.48N 100.85W
02/05/2020 M3.5 INCH DICKENS TX TX DOT
0341 AM SNOW DICKENS 33.62N 100.84W
02/05/2020 E4.0 INCH DICKENS TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
0343 AM SNOW PEACOCK 33.18N 100.40W
02/05/2020 M10.0 INCH STONEWALL TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
0349 AM SNOW ASPERMONT 33.14N 100.22W
02/05/2020 M8.0 INCH STONEWALL TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
0354 AM SNOW JAYTON 33.25N 100.57W
02/05/2020 M6.0 INCH KENT TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
STILL SNOWING
0550 AM SNOW CROSBYTON 33.64N 101.24W
02/05/2020 M3.0 INCH CROSBY TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
DRIFTS OF 5-6"
0600 AM SNOW 4 SSW LUBBOCK 33.53N 101.88W
02/05/2020 M0.5 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS OFFICE
0641 AM SNOW DENVER CITY 32.97N 102.83W
02/05/2020 E2.0 INCH YOAKUM TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
0647 AM SNOW JAYTON 33.25N 100.57W
02/05/2020 M7.0 INCH KENT TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
STILL SNOWING
0709 AM SNOW POST 33.19N 101.38W
02/05/2020 M4.5 INCH GARZA TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0711 AM SNOW TAHOKA 33.16N 101.79W
02/05/2020 M4.5 INCH LYNN TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0721 AM SNOW 1 WSW GUTHRIE 33.63N 100.34W
02/05/2020 M8.0 INCH KING TX CO-OP OBSERVER
6666 RANCH
0731 AM SNOW ASPERMONT 33.14N 100.22W
02/05/2020 M8.1 INCH STONEWALL TX CO-OP OBSERVER
THUNDERSNOW OCCURRED
0734 AM SNOW LEVELLAND 33.58N 102.36W
02/05/2020 M1.5 INCH HOCKLEY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0743 AM SNOW 15 S PADUCAH 33.80N 100.30W
02/05/2020 M3.0 INCH KING TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0745 AM SNOW 3 W WOODROW 33.45N 101.90W
02/05/2020 M0.5 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS EMPLOYEE
0754 AM SNOW ROPESVILLE 33.41N 102.15W
02/05/2020 M0.5 INCH HOCKLEY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
ICE PELLETS MIXED IN
0800 AM SNOW LAKE ALAN HENRY 33.06N 101.05W
02/05/2020 M8.0 INCH GARZA TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0800 AM SNOW MORTON 33.72N 102.76W
02/05/2020 M0.5 INCH COCHRAN TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0800 AM SNOW OLTON 34.18N 102.14W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH LAMB TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0800 AM SNOW 7 SW LUBBOCK 33.50N 101.96W
02/05/2020 M0.5 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS EMPLOYEE
0815 AM SNOW TULIA 34.54N 101.77W
02/05/2020 M3.0 INCH SWISHER TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0815 AM SNOW NORTHFIELD 34.29N 100.60W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH MOTLEY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0819 AM SNOW 1 W KIRKLAND 34.39N 100.09W
02/05/2020 M3.0 INCH CHILDRESS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0820 AM SNOW 5 SW LUBBOCK 33.52N 101.95W
02/05/2020 M0.5 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS EMPLOYEE
0822 AM SNOW BROWNFIELD 33.18N 102.27W
02/05/2020 M1.5 INCH TERRY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0822 AM SNOW 7 NW CHILDRESS 34.50N 100.34W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH CHILDRESS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0823 AM SNOW ROARING SPRINGS 33.90N 100.86W
02/05/2020 M2.0 INCH MOTLEY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0830 AM SNOW PLAINS 33.19N 102.83W
02/05/2020 M2.0 INCH YOAKUM TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0830 AM SNOW 3 S TELL 34.34N 100.39W
02/05/2020 M1.5 INCH CHILDRESS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0833 AM SNOW DENVER CITY 32.97N 102.83W
02/05/2020 M2.5 INCH YOAKUM TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0845 AM SNOW SPUR 33.48N 100.85W
02/05/2020 M7.0 INCH DICKENS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0847 AM SNOW CHILDRESS 34.42N 100.25W
02/05/2020 M1.2 INCH CHILDRESS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
CHILDRESS USDA
0849 AM SNOW 9 SE FLOYDADA 33.89N 101.23W
02/05/2020 M0.5 INCH FLOYD TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0852 AM SNOW MATADOR 34.02N 100.82W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH MOTLEY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0854 AM SNOW 3 ESE JUSTICEBURG 33.03N 101.16W
02/05/2020 M7.5 INCH GARZA TX SOCIAL MEDIA
0938 AM SNOW 10 S PADUCAH 33.87N 100.30W
02/05/2020 M4.0 INCH COTTLE TX CO-OP OBSERVER
1047 AM SNOW JAYTON 33.25N 100.57W
02/05/2020 M9.0 INCH KENT TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
1130 AM SNOW 4 SSW LUBBOCK 33.53N 101.88W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS OFFICE
1150 AM SNOW 6 NNE LUBBOCK 33.67N 101.82W
02/05/2020 M0.5 INCH LUBBOCK TX WX OBSERVER FAA
1200 PM SNOW SLATON 33.44N 101.64W
02/05/2020 M3.7 INCH LUBBOCK TX SOCIAL MEDIA
1224 PM SNOW WILSON 33.32N 101.73W
02/05/2020 M3.4 INCH LYNN TX SOCIAL MEDIA
1250 PM SNOW 4 NNW WOODROW 33.50N 101.87W
02/05/2020 M1.9 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS EMPLOYEE
0120 PM SNOW CHILDRESS 34.42N 100.25W
02/05/2020 M1.3 INCH CHILDRESS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0157 PM SNOW JAYTON 33.25N 100.57W
02/05/2020 M12.0 INCH KENT TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0440 PM SNOW JAYTON 33.25N 100.57W
02/05/2020 M14.0 INCH KENT TX CO-OP OBSERVER
1018 AM SNOW SOUTHLAND 33.36N 101.55W
02/06/2020 E3.0 INCH GARZA TX LAW ENFORCEMENT
1100 AM SNOW WHITE RIVER LAKE 33.48N 101.10W
02/05/2020 M4.5 INCH CROSBY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
1100 AM SNOW SPUR 33.48N 100.85W
02/05/2020 M7.5 INCH DICKENS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0946 AM SNOW PLAINS 33.19N 102.83W
02/05/2020 M2.5 INCH YOAKUM TX CO-OP OBSERVER
1030 AM SNOW 4 SSW LUBBOCK 33.53N 101.88W
02/05/2020 M1.2 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS OFFICE
1030 AM SNOW 5 SW LUBBOCK 33.52N 101.95W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS EMPLOYEE
1030 AM SNOW 7 SW LUBBOCK 33.50N 101.96W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS EMPLOYEE
0936 AM SNOW LAKE ALAN HENRY 33.06N 101.05W
02/05/2020 M9.5 INCH GARZA TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0500 AM SNOW 21 NNE CHILDRESS 34.71N 100.11W
02/05/2020 M1.0 INCH CHILDRESS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0912 AM SNOW DENVER CITY 32.97N 102.83W
02/05/2020 M4.5 INCH YOAKUM TX CO-OP OBSERVER
1000 AM SNOW 3 W WOODROW 33.45N 101.90W
02/05/2020 M1.5 INCH LUBBOCK TX NWS EMPLOYEE
0700 PM SNOW VIGO PARK 34.65N 101.50W
02/04/2020 M3.0 INCH SWISHER TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0820 AM SNOW 6 NNW ROPESVILLE 33.49N 102.19W
02/05/2020 M1.5 INCH HOCKLEY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0900 AM SNOW TAHOKA 33.16N 101.79W
02/05/2020 M4.5 INCH LYNN TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0814 AM SNOW 12 W GUTHRIE 33.63N 100.53W
02/05/2020 M7.0 INCH DICKENS TX CO-OP OBSERVER
PITCHFORK RANCH
1000 AM SNOW POST 33.19N 101.38W
02/05/2020 M4.6 INCH GARZA TX CO-OP OBSERVER
1030 AM SNOW CROSBYTON 33.64N 101.24W
02/05/2020 M2.5 INCH CROSBY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0900 AM SNOW BROWNFIELD 33.18N 102.27W
02/05/2020 M3.3 INCH TERRY TX CO-OP OBSERVER
0900 AM SNOW ASPERMONT 33.14N 100.22W
02/05/2020 M10.6 INCH STONEWALL TX CO-OP OBSERVER
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