Frost/Freeze — Mcmullen, Texas

2025-01-11 · Mcmullen, Texas

Event narrative

Texas A&M AgriLife: Conditions included the coldest temperatures of the season. An arctic cold front moved into the district, bringing temperatures below freezing for several hours on multiple days. Susceptible plants and forages suffered freeze damage, with the majority of the damage affecting houseplants and home fruit trees. The full extent of the damage was still unknown for fall-planted grains, but corn and grain sorghum planting was likely delayed by a week due to the cold and limited soil moisture. Leafy greens were affected by freezing temperatures, and potential damage to citrus trees and winter vegetables was still being assessed. Extreme drought conditions persisted, as the storm brought minimal moisture. Subsoil moisture remained dry, and additional rainfall will be necessary for the upcoming planting season. Nearly 1 inch of snow fell, but pasture and rangeland conditions continued to decline due to the lack of rainfall and freezing temperatures. Bermuda grass pastures showed burnt tops and entered their winter dormancy, along with other warm-season hay meadows. Row crop producers prepared their fields for the upcoming planting season and hoped for another rain event. The local auction barn was closed due to the winter storm. Conditions were tough on beef cattle, livestock and wildlife, with producers busy providing hay, protein and supplemental feed. Most ranchers continued steady herd culling. Cattle prices remained good and consistent at the two local markets, while feed prices remained high.

Wider weather episode

Colder air behind a strong frontal passage surged into South Texas the evening of 1/5 and overnight 1/6, with temperatures falling into the 40s (and even near freezing in the Victoria Crossroads) by midnight. Northerly winds made it feel even colder, with wind chills dropping into the mid to upper 20s in the northern Coastal Bend and Victoria Crossroads, and between 25-30F elsewhere. The coldest temperatures occurred overnight Monday 1/6 into Tuesday morning 1/7, as only those along the immediate coast stayed above freezing. Widespread wind chills from 15-25F across the Victoria Crosssroads and Coastal Plains were observed.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1235782. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.