Winter Storm — Palo Pinto, Texas

2009-12-24 · Palo Pinto, Texas

Event narrative

Local COOP Observers reported 4-5 of snow across the western half of the county. Only 3 of snow was reported at Mineral Wells and other eastern parts of the county. The local newspaper reported that up to 9 of snow may have fallen in the far northwestern corner of the county near Possum Kingdom Lake. Strong winds created near blizzard conditions across mainly the western half of the county during the afternoon hours. The peak wind reported at the automated weather station in Mineral Wells (K0F2) was 45 mph. At night, the snow froze on the roadways, creating icy roads and treacherous travel conditions across the county through Christmas morning. No roads were closed in the county during this event, but a fatal accident occurred during the afternoon hours on HWY 281 killing one female.

Wider weather episode

A powerful upper level system dipped into north Texas bringing near blizzard conditions to the northwest portions of north Texas. Wind gusts up to 50 mph were reported during the afternoon hours across much of the western half of north Texas. Most of the snowfall fell west of a line from Bonham to Waco to Lampasas. The highest snowfall totals of 9 were reported in Montague and Jack County. During the winter weather event, numerous people across the area had to be rescued from their cars or had their cars towed after sliding off the road. Travelers along HWY 287 in Montague County and I-20 in Eastland County became stranded and many spent the night in their vehicles. After the snowfall ended in the evening hours, the water on the roads froze resulting in icy conditions and hazardous travel conditions on Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning. Several more accidents occurred on the icy roads and numerous cars spun out and were abandoned for the night. Five people were killed by accidents due to the ice. Four died on Christmas Eve and one died a few days later on a patch of ice that remained in a shaded area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 201169. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.