Winter weather alert for Texas as snow could hit

A cold front moving into Texas late Sunday could bring snow to parts of the state early next week, following an unseasonably warm Christmas weekend.

Temperatures across much of Texas are expected to stay in the 70s and 80s through Sunday. But a shift in the weather pattern is forecast to send colder air south overnight into Monday, raising the possibility of light snowfall in the Panhandle and parts of West Texas.

“Late Sunday night into Monday morning, we’re expecting a change in the atmospheric weather pattern,” said Kenny Greening, meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Midland. “Our confidence in snow falling isn’t that high, though it’s in the forecast because the models are definitely showing that it’s a possibility,” he told the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

Why It Matters

Snowfall in Texas is rare due to its geographic location and typically warmer climate. Much of the state lies far south of the jet stream, meaning Arctic air masses don’t frequently reach deep into the region. Most snowfall there occurs in mid- to late January, when average temperatures are at their lowest.

What To Know

The NWS says there is a low chance of snow in the Midland-Odessa area early Monday, with a 20 percent to 35 percent chance, depending on how moisture and cold air arrive and overlap. Temperatures are expected to drop sharply, with highs near 43 degrees and lows falling to around 28 by Monday night.

The shift begins Sunday evening, when temperatures fall from a high near 72 degrees to an overnight low around 34. Any snow would likely fall before sunrise Monday, followed by mostly cloudy skies for the rest of the day.

Other parts of Texas are predicted to see weather changes as well. In El Paso, there is a 30 percent chance of showers late Sunday night, with rain expected to continue into Monday. Cities in East and Southeast Texas, including Houston, Beaumont and San Antonio, could also see rain starting Sunday evening. Lows in those areas are expected to stay above freezing, but travel could be affected by wet roads.

In Laredo, winds are expected to pick up through the weekend, with breezy conditions likely to continue as the front moves through. While snowfall is not in the forecast for South Texas, residents across the Lone Star State are being advised to monitor conditions and prepare for colder weather early next week.

What People Are Saying

Greening, to the Midland Reporter-Telegram: “Our confidence in snow falling isn’t that high, though it’s in the forecast because the models are definitely showing that it’s a possibility.”

What Happens Next

The NWS will continue monitoring the storm system and refine the forecast as models develop.