A blizzard impacted much of the Texas Panhandle from late on the 26th through early on the 28th. Sustained winds over 35 mph were ongoing the evening of the 26th across much of the Texas Panhandle and these winds continued through the event. The 24 hour average wind speed at Amarillo was 35 mph on December 27th while peak wind gusts reached 64 mph. Some additional observation sites in the area indicated peak gusts reached 70 mph during the event. The strong winds caused significant drifting of snow, even in areas that received a relatively minor amount of accumulation. Visibility was significantly reduced due to the blowing snow, and for at least a short period fell to less than one quarter mile at many locations. Deaf Smith County was most significantly impacted in the area served by the National Weather Service in Amarillo, but adjacent counties to the south of Deaf Smith County received snowfall totals that rivaled all-time record levels. See the Storm Data entry by the National Weather Service in Lubbock for details on snowfall amounts and impacts in areas further south.

Blizzard in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts as high as 65 mph were recorded at the West Texas Mesonet site near Hereford just before 8:00 PM CST on the 26th. This preceded the snowfall which began a few hours later. The first report from Deaf Smith County was received at around 6:00 AM on the 27th of 3 inches of snow accumulation with 4 to 5 foot drifts. Later on the morning of the 27th it was reported that several roads in Hereford were impassible and several vehicles were stranded, with less than one quarter mile visibility due to blowing snow. Storm total snowfall amounts from across the county include: 10 inches in Bootleg; 4 inches in Hereford with; 5 inches in Dawn. This equals the 3rd largest daily accumulation for the nearest climate station in Hereford, TX where records go back to 1905. These amounts do not adequately describe conditions however, as very strong winds produced very large snow drifts in the area further amplifying impacts to much greater levels than typically associated with a 10 inch snowfall event. 4 to 6 foot drifts were common across the county with some locations receiving drifts up to 10 feet deep.

Blizzard in DALLAM, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 1.5 to 2 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. A peak wind gust of 69 mph was measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at the Dalhart Airport.

Blizzard in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 1.5 to 2 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. A peak wind gust of 69 mph was measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at the Dalhart Airport.

Blizzard in OLDHAM, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 4 to 5 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow.

Blizzard in RANDALL, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 3 to 4 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. A peak wind gust of 64 mph was measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at the Amarillo airport.

Blizzard in POTTER, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 3 to 4 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. A peak wind gust of 64 mph was measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at the Amarillo airport.

Blizzard in HUTCHINSON, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 2 to 3 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow.

Blizzard in CARSON, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 3 to 4 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. A peak wind gust of 63 mph was measured at the West Texas Mesonet site in Panhandle.

Blizzard in ARMSTRONG, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 3 to 4 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow.

Blizzard in GRAY, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Total snowfall accumulation 4 inches was measured in Pampa. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow.

Blizzard in WHEELER, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 4 to 5 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow.

Blizzard in LIPSCOMB, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Total snowfall of 2 inches was measured in Lipscomb. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow.

Blizzard in HEMPHILL, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Total snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. A wind gust of 59 mph was measured by the West Texas mesonet site near Canadian.

Blizzard in DONLEY, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Total snowfall amounts of around 3 inches occurred across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. A wind gust of 66 mph was measured by the West Texas Mesonet site near Clarendon.

Blizzard in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Total snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 4 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow.

Blizzard in MOORE, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Total snowfall accumulation ranged from 1.5 to 2 inches across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. A peak wind gust of 61 mph was measured by the Automated Weather Observing System at the Dumas Airport.

Blizzard in COLLINGSWORTH, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-15 21:00:00 to 28-DEC-15 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Total snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 4 inches occurred across the county. Blizzard conditions existed due to strong winds and reduced visibility from blowing snow. Visibility was lower than one quarter mile for a period. The strong winds also caused significant drifting of snow. The West Texas mesonet site near Dozier measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.