Frost/Freeze — Inland Refugio County, Texas

2025-01-07 · Inland Refugio County, Texas

Event narrative

Texas A&M AgriLife: A severe cold front was expected to move in. Wet weather brought 2-3 inches of beneficial rainfall across the district. Field crop producers were preparing for the upcoming planting season by checking equipment and receiving seed. Winter pastures greatly improved due to the recent rainfall, providing much-needed forage for livestock. However, livestock producers were still supplementing diets with hay and protein, especially as some herds began calving. Wet conditions combined with the upcoming freeze may pose additional challenges for producers. Snow accumulation of 1-3 inches improved surface soil moisture but left fields too wet for farming operations to continue. Preplant fertilizer applications were underway before the snowfall. Freezing temperatures killed remaining green vegetation, and winter pastures were growing slowly despite some green-up from recent moisture. Pastures remained in poor condition, with widespread supplemental feeding of hay and protein. Livestock body condition scores were declining, though most cattle remained in fair to good condition. Heifer retention continued due to strong prices and high demand.

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 1235790. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.