Texas Climate Report: January 1997

Unseasonably warm conditions prevailed across Texas the beginning of January as a high pressure system dominated the weather. By the 3rd, a low pressure system developed over the Rocky Mountains allowing warm and moist air to surge northward from the Gulf of Mexico creating summer-like conditions over Texas. Temperatures on the 4th were in the 70s, 80s, and 90s across most of Texas as McAllen reported the high temperature for the month of 94°F. Several stations broke record high temperatures including Austin with a high temperature of 84°F (breaking the previous record of 80°F set back in 1917) and College Station with 82°F (previous record was 78°F set back in 1957).

As the Northwest endured more flooding and the Midwest was hit by blizzard-like conditions, Texas prepared for below freezing temperatures in addition to snow and ice. On the 7th, Bogata (Red River Co.) received two inches of snow while points southward received a blanket of ice. Parts of the Hill Country woke up to a half an inch of ice covering the streets and automobiles. Between two and five inches of snow mixed with sleet fell in Dallas/Fort Worth. Beaumont/Port Arthur (1.88"), Austin (0.40"), Galveston (0.64") and Waco (0.52") each received measurable amounts of precipitation; some as rain, snow, sleet, and any combination thereof. Many schools and businesses closed down on the 8th as snow, sleet, and rain blanketed the ground overnight from the Permian Basin towards portions of Central Texas. Power outages affected many communities including Waco and Austin, where some residents didn't have power restored for nearly 24 hours.

Temperatures were on the rebound from the afternoon of the 8th to the 11th as Texas prepared for the next wintry blast. An Arctic front barreled its way southward on the 12th bringing bitterly cold temperatures and frozen precipitation to much of Texas. Freezing rain covered portions of Central Texas for the second time in two weeks, yet extended farther south and east this time. Austin, College Station, and even Houston each reported freezing rain and sleet. Many schools and businesses were closed once again as temperatures in many locations remained below the freezing mark throughout the day. The low temperature for the month (0°F) was reported on the 12th in Dalhart. By the 15th, most of the wintry mix had melted as temperatures returned to the 40s and 50s. The majority of the January precipitation fell between the 20th and the 24th as moist, tropical air blanketed parts of the state south of a line from Lufkin to Waco. On the 27th, heavy thunderstorms occurred along the Gulf Coast accompanied by a tornado which hit portions of Pasadena (Harris Co.) causing an estimated $10 million in damages. Fortunately, there were no injuries or deaths reported. The month came to an end much like it began with mild spring-like temperatures dominating over Texas.

Monthly Summary for Selected Cities

Monthly Extremes

New Monthly Records

Climatic Averages for February