



The 0Z NAM is pretty bullish in regards to snowfall accumulation with this upcoming event. The NAM suggests a large area of 8+ inch snow amounts with locations just northeast of Big Spring and around to Snyder having 12 to 16 inches of snow. This is only output from one specific model, but it is concerning because some of the higher resolution model guidance is suggesting some pretty high snow accumulations. It’s likely if we do see extremely high snow accumulations (over 8 inches) it will be localized to an area that ends up being under a deformation/convective band, which simply put it is a area heavy snowfall ends up training over the same areas, giving a localized area extremely high snow accumulations. Trying to predict these heavier snow pockets is nearly impossible until the event has started.
These are the Winter Storm products as of 9:45 PM on January 8th. The only change with these from our 6 PM update is that the National Weather Service office in San Angelo has extended the Winter Storm Watch another row of counties east. This Winter Storm Watch now includes San Angelo and Abilene. A watch means that there is the potential for significant winter weather within the next 36 hours that could create dangerous travel conditions. For more information on the definition of each of these products, see our discussion from 6 PM. The Rain/Snow line should remain 70 miles west of Fort Worth, meaning D/FW and the Interstate 35 Corridor will only see rain with this system
The National Weather Services offices in West Texas are going to be busy over the next 36 hours as a significant winter storm is expected to impact West Texas. The graphic shown above is displaying the current Winter Weather Products in a county-based product. Here’s the same information displayed on a zoomed-in graphic with county name overlays.
The purple-shaded counties have been placed under a Winter Weather Advisory. This is not as significant as a Winter Storm Warning and means that minor snow accumulations are possible which could create travel difficulties. Snow amounts of 1 to 3 inches are likely in the Winter Weather Advisory.
The pink-shaded counties have been placed under a Winter Storm Warning, which is more significant then a Winter Weather Advisory. Those under a Winter Storm Warning can expect snow accumulations of at least four inches. Right now, the Midland NWS office is calling for four to seven inches of snow in their County Warning Area with some locations receiving up to ten inches. Locations under a Winter Storm Warning include but are not limited to Aspermont, Snyder, Big Spring, Midland, Odessa, Fort Stckton, and Fort Davis. Significant travel disruptions are likely and vehicles that do not have four wheel drive capability will likely become incapacitated as major snow accumulations are likely on all roadways.
The San Angelo NWS has elected to issue a Winter Storm Watch for three counties on the eastern edge of this Winter Storm. Those counties are Haskell, Jones, and Coke. Those counties are identified by the blue-shaded outlines. A Winter Storm Watch means there is the potential of major travel disruptions, but the potential is not high enough to warrant a Winter Storm Warning at this time. It’s likely that those counties will be placed under a Winter Weather Advisory later tonight or early tomorrow. In addition, the Amarillo NWS has indicated that they will likely be issuing a Winter Weather Advisory for a portion of their county warning area later tonight. We’ll bring you the latest as new warnings/advisories are issued.
Its a very cold morning across Texas with all of the state, except deep south Texas, at or below freezing. The coldest temperatures can be found across the Caprock and Texas Panhandle where temperatures are in the single digits and lower teens. Low temperatures from 18 to 29 degrees can be found across Northern and Central Texas, including the hill country. Folks closer to the coast are closer to 30 degrees, which is still mighty cold for those parts. We’ll warm up later this morning and should enjoy a pleasant day across Texas. Enjoy your Wednesday!
A very cold night is in store for all of Texas as deep, artic air continues to filter south across the state. Amarillo was already down to ten degrees at 10 PM and it’s possible they approach the negative territory by morning. Several locations in the panhandle may end up at or below zero tonight. It won’t be that cold further south, but low temperatures from 15 to 25 degrees are possible along/north of Interstate 20 with 20-30 degree lows from I-10 and points northward. Even extreme south Texas could hit freezing tonight!
A band of light snow has developed across portions of northeastern Parker county into eastern Wise county. This band is nearly stationary, but is exhibiting a very slow eastward movement. As we continue through the night, drizzle will likely develop across the northern sections of the D/FW metroplex. As temperatures will be below freezing, this drizzle will have the potential to coat all elevated surfaces in a thin layer of ice. The National Weather Service has indicated that a winter weather advisory may be required if confidence increases in regards to the potential of freezing drizzle. Should we get widespread freezing drizzle, we could have a very nasty rush hour tomorrow morning.