A winter storm impacted west Texas during the pre-dawn hours of the 1st, and marked the onset of a prolonged outbreak of arctic air in the Southern Plains.  This invasion of arctic air brought the coldest temperatures experienced in more than a decade to the South Plains of west Texas, and was the first of two successive bitterly cold spells to impact the region during the first half of February.
Precipitation began to overspread portions of the South Plains during the late evening of January 31st and the early morning hours of the 1st.  The precipitation quickly changed to snow during the pre-dawn hours of the 1st as the approach of the upper air storm system from the west ushered in the periphery of an expansive arctic airmass from the north.  By mid-morning on the 1st, accumulating snows had fallen over much of the South Plains. The heaviest snow occurred over the extreme southwestern Panhandle, where 4 inch accumulations were observed.  A secondary band of moderate snow developed along the passing front over the southeastern South Plains and southern Rolling Plains, and resulted in a corridor of 3 inch accumulations over portions of Garza and Kent Counties.  Reported snow accumulations follow:
Friona (Parmer County)...4 inches, Jayton (Kent County)...3 inches, Post (Garza County)...3 inches, Aspermont (Stonewall County)...2 inches, Brownfield (Terry County)...2 inches, Childress (Childress County)...2 inches, Crosbyton (Crosby County)...2 inches, Guthrie (King County)...2 inches, Lake Alan Henry (Garza County) 2 inches, Littlefield (Lamb County)...2 inches, Matador (Motley County)...2 inches, Memphis (Hall County)...2 inches, Muleshoe (Bailey County)...2 inches, Olton (Lamb County)...2 inches, Paducah (Cottle County)...2 inches, Plains (Yoakum County)...2 inches, Plainview (Hale County)...2 inches, Turkey (Hall County)...2 inches, Wolfforth (Lubbock County)...2 inches, Dickens (Dickens County)...1 inch, Dimmitt (Castro County)...1 inch, Floydada (Floyd County)...1 inch, Hart (Castro County)...1 inch, Levelland (Hockely County)...1 inch, Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (Lubbock County)...1 inch, Morton (Cochran County)...1 inch, Tahoka (Lynn County)...1 inch, and Vigo Park (Swisher County)...1 inch.
Cold air built southward over west Texas in earnest following the passage of the early morning storm system on the 1st.  The invading arctic air brought an extended period of dangerously cold and record low temperatures.  Strong northerly winds exaccerbated the situation and resulted in dangerous wind chills.  The bitter cold claimed two lives on the South Plains.  An elderly man became disoriented during a morning walk outside a nursing home in Brownfield (Terry County) and died from exposure during the early morning hours of the 3rd.  A 36-year old woman also died from exposure in front of her Lubbock (Lubbock County) home after she slipped on ice around 09:00 CST on the 3rd.  Doctors at a Texas Tech University medical facility also reportedly treated at least a half dozen students for frostbite and fall injuries resulting from ice on the 3rd. As temperatures finally began to warm above freezing by midday on the 4th, damage from bursting water lines became widespread.  The worst damages occurred in Lubbock (Lubbock County), where the Metro Tower was evacuated due to leaking water and where a water main break at the intersection of 34th and Memphis caused street flooding.  Numerous reports of smaller pipe breakage incidents were widespread across the city, and across the region.  The Lubbock Fire Department responded to at least 50 incidences of severe water damage and flooding in homes and businesses.  Almost 80 residents and homeless citizens sought help at emergency shelters.  In Levelland (Hockley County), more than 600 students were evacuated when a water line ruptured and damaged three class rooms at Levelland Middle School.  Hockley County officials additionally responded to an automobile accident along Texas Highway 114 near Levelland.  Similar damages occurred across the South Plains, with newspaper articles citing property damage in Hale Center and Plainview (Hale County), Olton (Lamb County), and Springlake-Earth (Lamb County).  Rolling electrical blackouts also were reported in Childress (Childress County).  This as water and utility companies across the region reported record usage which strained systems.  A list of sub-zero temperatures (F) recorded by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet and National Weather Service cooperative observers during the arctic outbreak follows:
Friona (Parmer County)...-12, Muleshoe (Bailey County)...-10, Dimmitt (Castro County)...-9, Hart (Castro County)...-4, Plainview (Hale County)...-3, Silverton (Briscoe County)...-3, Tulia (Swisher County)...-3, Vigo Park (Swisher County)...-3, Sundown (Hockley County)...-3, Morton (Cochran County)...-3, Anton (Hockley County)...-2, Denver City (Yoakum County)...-2, Floydada (Floyd County)...-2, Littlefield (Lamb County)...-2, Olton (Lamb County)...-2, Abernathy (Hale County)...-1, and Reese Center (Lubbock County)...-1.
A list of observed wind chill values below the -15 degrees (F) local warning criteria per the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet and area Automated Surface Observing Systems follows:
Dimmitt (Castro County)...-28, Friona (Parmer County)...-28, Hart (Castro County)...-26, Amherst (Lamb County)...-24, Morton (Cochran County)...-23, Olton (Lamb County)...-23, Tulia (Swisher County)...-23, Abernathy (Hale County)...-22, Levelland (Hockley County)...-22, Muleshoe (Bailey County)...-22, Reese Center (Lubbock County)...-22, Silverton (Briscoe County)...-22, Anton (Hockley County)...-21, Plainview (Hale County)...-21, Floydada (Floyd County)...-20, Sundown (Hockley County)...-20, Brownfield (Terry County)...-19, Denver City (Yoakum County)...-19, Post (Garza County)...-19 degrees, Wolfforth (Lubbock County)...-18, Lubbock's Preston Smith International Airport (Lubbock County)...-18, Ralls (Crosby County)...-18, Slaton (Lubbock County)...-18, Tahoka (Lynn County)...-18, Roaring Springs (Motley County)...-17, Turkey (Hall County)...-17, White River Lake (Crosby County)...-16, and Childress (Childress County)...-15.
A secondary upper air storm system ejected eastward over the Interstate 20 corridor of west and central Texas during the early morning hours of the 4th.  A band of snow developed over portions of the central South Plains, generally along the Caprock escarpment. Light snow accumulations were observed. A list of reported snow accumulations follows:
Estelline (Hall County)...2 inches, Childress (Childress County)...1 inch, Dougherty (Floyd County)...1 inch, Ralls (Crosby County)...1 inch, Slaton (Lubbock County)...1 inch, and Tahoka (Lynn County)...1 inch.
The public impacts from the 1-4 February arctic air outbreak on the South Plains of west Texas were high.  In all, 2 deaths and at least 6 injuries were blamed on the weather.  Total economic losses were estimated to approach $1.4 million.

Winter Weather in HALL, TEXAS
From 04-FEB-11 04:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 04-FEB-11 04:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 04-FEB-11 04:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 04-FEB-11 04:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 04-FEB-11 04:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in LYNN, TEXAS
From 04-FEB-11 04:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 22:00:00 to 04-FEB-11 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Winter Storm in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Winter Weather in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in KING, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Weather in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-11 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-11 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement