Houston Prepares for Record Early Snowfall: Up to 6 Inches Possible

  • Thread starter Thread starter D H
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the unusual weather event of potential snowfall in Houston, Texas, with forecasts suggesting up to 6 inches. Participants share their experiences, concerns, and reactions to the impending snow, reflecting on the rarity of such weather in the region.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that Houston averages less than 0.5 inches of snow per year, making the forecast of 6 inches particularly significant.
  • Concerns are raised about the local population's inexperience with snow, leading to potential chaos on the roads.
  • Participants share anecdotes about past snow events in Houston, highlighting the panic and confusion that often accompany such occurrences.
  • There are mentions of unusual weather patterns, with some participants attributing the current conditions to broader climate changes.
  • Several participants express frustration or humor regarding the local response to snow, comparing it to winter weather in other regions.
  • Some participants discuss their personal experiences with the weather, including recent moves from colder climates to Texas.
  • There are observations about the current weather conditions, including rain and temperatures that complicate the snow forecast.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the rarity of snow in Houston and the potential for significant disruption. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the implications of the snowfall and the local population's preparedness.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of concern about road safety and the impact of the weather on daily life, reflecting a lack of consensus on how to handle the situation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to residents of Houston, meteorology enthusiasts, and individuals curious about regional weather patterns and community responses to unusual weather events.

  • #31
We have snow here today. Of course, we're supposed to have snow this time of year, I just hadn't paid any attention to the forecast to know it was coming. So much for my plans to put up my outside Christmas decorations today. :frown: I can probably still put out the lawn ornaments if the ground hasn't frozen yet, but I don't think I'm going to fuss with the lights that get hung from the gutters (I have a pole for it so don't have to climb on a ladder but I think I might freeze before the job is done...with lawn ornaments, I can stop any time). Perhaps I'll limit lights to going up around the front door this year. It'll save me from having my Christmas lights up until March. :biggrin:

The snowplowers seem to be going crazy today. I've heard them pass by about 6 times in the last hour, and it's not snowing that hard! It only looks like 1 to 2 inches of accumulation so far, so I have no idea what the plows are plowing. But, this is much better than the old development I lived in where they MIGHT get around to plowing the ski slope drive into the place (the one with boulders at the bottom to keep you from careening over a cliff) once, at night, AFTER everyone returning home at rush hour had packed the snow down to a sheet of ice and everyone else was parked in front of the houses at the bottom of the hill because you couldn't drive up it anymore. At least if they're doing such a good job of plowing for a light snow here, I won't have to worry so much about getting in and out of the neighborhood on snow days (don't know about the rest of the winding, narrow, hilly roads between here and work yet, but I think I found a flatter route to take on snow days).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Ronnin said:
Well I have good news to report. My small goldfish pond (plus one saved crawfish from our last boil) has had no casualties from the freeze. My kids have seen more snow in two years than I did for about 30. Here is a picture of one of those Texas snow babies your hear about. This is my youngest enjoying the snow.

:smile: I can't believe you saved a crawfish...hahaha!

I used to have a small fish pond that would freeze every year. I really don't know if it would freeze solid, though. Yet year after year, the fish* I put there to eat mosquito larvae would survive, even thrive.

*I think they were just common goldfish - they were 11-for-$1 "feeder fish" that you get at fish stores as dinner for other fish :eek:.
 
  • #33
Ronnin said:
Well I have good news to report. My small goldfish pond (plus one saved crawfish from our last boil) has had no casualties from the freeze. My kids have seen more snow in two years than I did for about 30. Here is a picture of one of those Texas snow babies your hear about. This is my youngest enjoying the snow.
What a cutie Ronnin!
 
  • #34
lisab said:
:smile: I can't believe you saved a crawfish...hahaha!

I used to have a small fish pond that would freeze every year. I really don't know if it would freeze solid, though. Yet year after year, the fish* I put there to eat mosquito larvae would survive, even thrive.

*I think they were just common goldfish - they were 11-for-$1 "feeder fish" that you get at fish stores as dinner for other fish :eek:.
I have a backyard pond that is very deep, and the first year we lived here, I trapped about a dozen dace (chubs) from the brook running across the property and put them in the pond to see if they would survive. Three years on, they're about 9-10" long, with generations of offspring ranging from tiny minnows up to about their size. The biggest danger to the fish is a local great blue heron who has figured out that this a great place for lunch.
 
  • #35
Evo said:
What a cutie Ronnin!

Thank you very much. Don't let him fool you, he's pure evil.
 
  • #36
Pattonias said:
Honestly, there isn't much that can immobilize the Southern United States like a good snow.
It's nothing compared to what happens in the North West if the sun ever comes out.
 
  • #37
Ronnin said:
Thank you very much. Don't let him fool you, he's pure evil.

:smile:

Even though we ended up with snow all morning, I still put up the outside Christmas lights and decorations. Just skipped putting the lights up on the gutters. Once I was done shoveling the driveway, I was warm enough to stay out and keep working.
 
  • #38
D H said:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6750042.html
Houston braces for at least 2 inches of snow
Preparations under way, and some in Houston area may even see half a foot of the white stuff

Houston is on track Friday to break a record with the earliest snowfall ever recorded in the city's history. Forecasters are still hedging their bets, but say the most likely scenario is 1 to 2 inches of widespread snowfall beginning Friday afternoon.

Some areas could get up to a half a foot.​

The date on the article is Dec. 3, 2009, so nope, tomorrow is *not* April Fools.

Dang!
Thank you for returning our winter and snow with interest. You could have kept the rain though. Things are more or less back to normal.
 
  • #39
Hmmm, I missed this thread on the first go round. I'm in the Houston area as well (in between D H and kote actually).

The snow was pretty disappointing compared to last year, although these were probably the biggest flakes I've ever seen (even compared to seeing 15" fall in Colorado early this year). Half dollar sized snowflakes in Houston are almost unheard of. Two days after the snow it warmed back up into the 70s and as of just after midnight tonight it's down in the 30s again.