According to the Farmers Almanac, Texas is in for another bitterly cold winter – something none of us are in the mood to hear after February’s historic freeze. That forecast is at odds, however, with the La Niña weather pattern setting up in the Pacific Ocean. So, will Texas freeze over again in another winter storm of the century? Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for winter in Texas.
The unprecedented winter storm of February 2021 caused a historic loss of power, property, and life - the likes of which nobody wants to see happen again.
As we head into winter 2022-2023, the same La Niña pattern present in the Pacific Ocean last season is in place yet again for the third consecutive year.
Ironically, La Niña is supposed to produce fewer winter storms for the United States. This is because it keeps the jet stream well above us near the North Pole.
What happened in February actually bears no relation to La Niña. According to Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, the State Climatologist for Texas, a "sudden stratospheric warming event" is to blame for the once-in-a-century freeze.
A disruption in the polar vortex, which normally sits over the Arctic Circle, throws a wrench in the weather pattern for the entire hemisphere.
This phenomenon almost guarantees extreme, unusual weather. Predicting when and where it will occur, however, is next to impossible.
This season will be our third consecutive La Niña winter. A triple dip La Niña is something that has happened only twice before now.
Historically, when a La Niña pattern is in place it means winter is warmer and drier than usual.
All that to say: Texas is certainly less likely to freeze over again in the coming months. We must remember, though, that the February 2021 storm was also the product of a La Niña winter.
So you can remain cautiously optimistic. Just be sure to have a plan in place if the unthinkable does happen!
Here's to hoping we can build a snowman this winter...without the series of unfortunate events a sudden freeze can leave in its wake.
Winter in Texas can be a bit surprising, which always keeps us on our toes. What are your thoughts on the upcoming La Niña winter? Do you think Texas will have another historic winter freeze? Share your Texas winter weather predictions in the comments section!
For more unprecedented winter weather in Texas history, check out our previous article about some of the worst Texas winter storms.
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