A major winter storm impacted much of northern Texas from the morning of January 28th and continued through the day. The most significant impacts came with an extended period of freezing rain for Wilbarger, Hardeman, and Foard counties, which resulted in significant icing on trees and power lines. The day before the winter storm was unusually warm, as the high temperature at Wichita Falls was 67 degrees, which was 14 degrees above normal. However, that same day, a strong cold front was sweeping south down the Plains. On the morning of January 28th, the cold front pushed through western North Texas. Surface temperatures had fallen below freezing just north of the Red River and by mid morning, it had moved south of Wilbarger, Foard, and Hardeman counties. Temperatures farther east remained just above freezing, which included the Wichita Falls area. The cold front stalled to the south leaving a shallow cold air mass in place across much of the area to the north of the front. As an upper level low became better organized in the southwestern United States, it helped draw warm, moist air north from the Gulf of Mexico over the cold air at the surface. This contributed to the development of widespread precipitation during the early morning hours over northern Texas. The precipitation increased in intensity during the afternoon, and intense freezing rain moved through part of the area. Drier air swept in behind the precipitation and started clearing it out of north Texas by mid afternoon. Although only light freezing drizzle or sleet was reported for the rest of the evening, it only aggravated the already dire situation that occurred earlier in the day. Later that night, another area of precipitation had developed over parts of central Texas and moved north toward the Red River. The precipitation type was more snow with some embedded sleet, and accumulating snows occurred during the morning and afternoon of the 29th. Up to two inches of snow fell over mainly Wichita, Clay, and Archer counties.
By the time the storm system moved east of the area, thousands of trees were heavily damaged over the western portions of north Texas. Hundreds of power poles were down, and thousands were without power. Monetary damage estimates were not available due to the extensive nature of the damage.

Ice Storm in FOARD, TEXAS
From 28-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 29-JAN-10 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

At least a quarter of an inch of glaze accumulated on elevated surfaces, with some areas in the northern portion of the county receiving near a half of an inch.

Ice Storm in HARDEMAN, TEXAS
From 28-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 29-JAN-10 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Up to 3/4 of glaze accumulated on most elevated surfaces, resulting in widespread tree and power line damage. Thousands were without power for an extended period of time.

Ice Storm in WILBARGER, TEXAS
From 28-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 29-JAN-10 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A half to three quarters of an inch of glaze accumulated on most elevated surfaces, with some areas receiving near an inch of glaze accumulation. Widespread tree and power line/pole damage was reported across the county, resulting in thousands without power for a few days. Several roads had to be closed due to debris lying on top of them.

Winter Weather in BAYLOR, TEXAS
From 28-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 28-JAN-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The temperatures remained above freezing for much of the day, but finally fell below 32 degrees by late afternoon and early evening. Minor glaze accumulations were reported, resulting in a few automobile accidents.

Winter Weather in KNOX, TEXAS
From 28-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 28-JAN-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The temperatures remained above freezing for much of the day, but finally fell below 32 degrees by late afternoon and early evening. Minor glaze accumulations were reported, resulting in a few automobile accidents.

Winter Weather in WICHITA, TEXAS
From 28-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 29-JAN-10 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The temperatures remained above freezing for much of the day, but finally fell below 32 degrees by late afternoon. Minor glaze accumulations were reported, with some sporadic power outages and automobile accidents. Another area of precipitation, mainly in the form of snow, moved over Wichita county during the morning and afternoon of the 29th. Around an inch of snow accumulated in some spots.

Winter Weather in ARCHER, TEXAS
From 28-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 29-JAN-10 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The temperatures remained above freezing for much of the day, but finally fell below 32 degrees by late afternoon and early evening. Minor glaze accumulations were reported, resulting in a few automobile accidents. Another area of precipitation, this time in the form of snow, moved over Archer county during the morning and afternoon of the 29th, with around an inch of snow accumulating over some spots.

Winter Weather in CLAY, TEXAS
From 28-JAN-10 04:00:00 to 29-JAN-10 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The temperatures remained above freezing for much of the day, but finally fell below 32 degrees by late afternoon and early evening. Minor glaze accumulations were reported, resulting in a few automobile accidents. Another area of precipitation, this time in the form of snow, moved over Clay county during the morning and afternoon of the 29th, with around an inch of snow accumulating over some spots.