After a relatively quiet early winter, a dose of reality, in the form of a major, record-setting winter storm, affected north Texas from late on January 31 through February 1. Periods of heavy sleet and snow, combined with winds that gusted over 40 mph, disrupted travel and closed hundreds of schools and businesses. Snowfall totals reached a half a foot in some places, with snow drifts reaching three to five foot depths.
Several days before the event, one would have thought that these were the final days of winter and that spring would soon begin. Record high temperatures were common over a large area on the 28th and 29th of January, with readings well into the 70s.
Unfortunately, these warm, mild days came to an abrupt end as a strong cold front moved southward over the southern Great Plains on January 30th, reducing high temperatures to 30 to 40 degrees cooler than the previous day. Max temperatures only reached the 20s across northern Oklahoma, with highs in the 30s prevailing across the southern two-thirds of Oklahoma and into north Texas.
Late on January 29th, a strong storm system finally moved onshore over southern California. At the same time, an arctic cold front began its trek south through the northern Great Plains, with a strong surface high pressure building in behind it.
The freezing line at the surface slowly moved south during the day on the January 31st, lying across the northwest half of Oklahoma by sunset and then advancing quickly southeast. At the same time, the storm system was moving through New Mexico with increasing lift out ahead of it.
Thunderstorms, some containing heavy sleet, developed over parts of west Texas and moved northeast over northern Texas. By this time, some of precipitation was developing and moving over sub-freezing surface temperatures. The precipitation coverage expanded through the evening hours toward Wichita Falls. Periods of heavy thunder-sleet, occasionally mixed with freezing rain and heavy snow were reported.
A mixture of sleet and snow continued over northern Texas at midnight, but had changed to all snow by 4 AM. Temperatures were now in the teens over northern Texas. The snowfall was moderate to heavy at times, and by sunrise, around 6 inches of snow had fallen over parts of northern Texas.
In addition to the snow, the winds gusted at 35 to 45 mph, and temperatures fell into the single digits and lower teens. Rush hour traffic was very slow going. Visibilities with the heavy snow and strong winds were falling below �� mile, resulting in numerous accidents and stalled automobiles. The wind chills became just as big an issue by this time, with wind chill values falling below -15 degrees.

Winter Storm in WICHITA, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Officially, three inches was measured at Sheppard Air Force Base. However, up to six inches was reported over the southwest portions of Wichita Falls. The snowfall created widespread travel problems, with several accidents reported as a result of the icy roadways. Also, numerous wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph greatly reduced visibilities, and caused significant blowing and drifting of the snowfall.