North Texas Snow Storm
February 14th, 2004!

A Winter Storm swept across all of North Texas Friday night into Saturday afternoon as warm and moist air moved over a deep, cold, Arctic air mass at the surface. 

Special Weather Statement were issued on the potential for wintry weather as early as Wednesday afternoon, as National Weather Service forecasters were becoming increasingly concerned about the potential for wintry precipitation Friday night into Saturday. 

Cold Arctic air was already in place across North Texas and computer models were indicating a slow moving upper level low pressure area could swing across the region.

The exact track of this low kept quite a bit of uncertainty in the forecast until very early Friday morning. By this time, computer data and satellite data suggested a much higher probability that the low would track across North Texas. Thus, a Winter Storm Watch was issued for Friday night and Saturday. Up to 3 or 4  inches of snow looked possible with the system, but the exact track of the low would make all the difference.

As new atmospheric data was sampled and new computer models arrived, it became apparent that there was a very good chance that the low would indeed track over North Texas and that 4 inches of snow, with locally heavier amounts, seemed likely. Thus, a Winter Storm Warning was issued for Friday night and Saturday for roughly the northwest half of North Texas. Winter Weather Advisories were also issued for the rest of North Texas surrounding the Winter Storm Warning area.

As the low moved closer to North Texas Friday night, moisture was lifted into the atmosphere and snow, with a little sleet, began across much of the region. The slow moving low and surface temperatures at or just below freezing set the stage for some of the heaviest snowfall totals seen in North Texas for over a decade! Some of the heaviest snow fell late Saturday morning across the Red River counties, as the slow moving low had moved far enough east to draw up even more moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.

The snow all but ended, even in the northeast, by late Saturday afternoon. 

Delays were reported at many airports and there were several traffic accidents, but much of the snow melted on the roadways, especially the well traveled ones. Icy bridges and overpasses seemed to be the major traffic problem areas with this snowfall event.  In fact, as temperatures on Saturday rose into the mid and upper 30s, most of the snow had melted by Saturday evening. But not before many had enjoyed some of the most beautiful and heavy snowfall they had ever seen in North Texas. The snow seemed just perfect for building snowmen (without all the grass and dirt that usually makes them "Texas Snowmen") and snowballs.

Feburary 14, 2004 will be a Valentine's Day that many in North Texas will remember for a lifetime.