A historic outbreak of arctic air resulted in record breaking cold temperatures during an extreme cold spell that lasted almost two weeks for some locations across the combined Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. The cold air moved over the northeastern combined Panhandles as early as Feb 8th, and spread southwest through Feb 12th, engulfing most of the southern plains by Feb 13th. The northeast Panhandles remained below freezing for 12 days straight while the southwest Panhandles were below freezing for a full week or more. Periods of flurries and freezing fog also occurred mainly in the overnight and morning periods almost each day Feb 8th through Feb 18th. In addition, two storm systems interacted with the arctic air to produce several inches of snow, not only across the Panhandles but across most of the Great Plains, including almost the entire state of Texas and surrounding states.
The frigid arctic air would put a strain on area power grids, resulting in rotating blackouts for some locations (this was much worse for other portions of Texas due to a state��wide power crises felt most on the ERCOT power grid). The extreme cold also caused multiple indirect fatalities in the Texas Panhandle and led to school closings due to winter weather and/or the Texas energy crises that required measures to strongly limit energy consumption. The cold also halted plant operations due to issues with natural gas fuel, killed some livestock and also caused localized damage to residences and schools due to freezing water pipes. There were isolated reports of private water wells freezing up across the area. In addition, several municipal water wells in the southeast Texas Panhandle froze up and sustained damage (Donley County) during this time. There was also reported damage to water treatment facilities in Oldham County.
While local impacts in the Panhandle were less than the rest of Texas because the region's infrastructure is more built to handle major cold outbreaks, losses in the state of Texas were estimated to be well into the billions. Impacts from the power disruptions and natural gas fuel issues caused by the cold were certainly felt well outside of the worst hit areas and this included the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. For example, local dairy production was halted for a period of time because the processing plants located outside the Panhandles were without power and unable to operate. Farmers were forced to dispose of milk produced during this timeframe. Damage outside the Panhandles to the southeast was extensive due to power interruptions within the ERCOT power grid which led to numerous broken pipes and damages down state in Texas. These greater disruptions impacted the far southeast Texas Panhandle, which was the only area that was included on the ERCOT power grid at the time.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

Around 0400 CST on the 14th, Roberts County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 1200 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -30��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 28 mph while temperatures were near of below 0��F. Pampa, TX which is just to the south or the county recorded a low of -10��F on the morning of the 15th, setting a new daily record for Pampa. Pampa's records go back to 1965. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through close to 273 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 7 days. This was the 2nd longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 19th) for Pampa, TX. The first longest stretch was in 1983 with 12 days in a row below freezing.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in RANDALL COUNTY, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 05:20:00 to 15-FEB-21 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Around 0500 CST on the 14th, Randall County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -25��F, which lasted until around 0800 CST on the 15th. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near of below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -14��F which was recorded by the West Texas mesonet site located in Umbarger, TX on the morning of the 15th. The official climate site at the Amarillo Airport set a new daily record low for the 15th with a temperature of -11��F. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went 188 hours straight with below freezing temperatures, or about 7-8 days. This was the 6th longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) for Amarillo, TX. Amarillo's records date back to 1892.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in OLDHAM, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:30:00 to 15-FEB-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

By 0330 CST on the 14th, Oldham County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -25��F, which lasted until around 0800 CST on the 15th. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near or below 0��F. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went around 186 hours straight below freezing temperatures, or just shy of 8 days. The coldest of this stretch was the 15th when ambient temperatures got as low as -10��F at Adrian and -16��F in Vega. During this period, a water treatment plant sustain damage in Adrian, TX due to the prolonged period of below freezing temperatures.

Heavy Snow in CARSON, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 16-FEB-21 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A narrow band of 5 to 9 inch snowfall occurred along I-40 in the extreme southern parts of the county in just a few hours, while only 1 to 4 inches occurred in the northern reaches of the county. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Heavy Snow in RANDALL COUNTY, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 17-FEB-21 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A narrow band of 5 to 7 inch snowfall in just a few hours with the heaviest amounts occurring along I-40 in the north and along I-27. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Heavy Snow in ARMSTRONG, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 17-FEB-21 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A narrow band of 6 to 9 inch snowfall in just a few hours along I-40 in the northern parts of the county. Further south and east, 3 to 5 inch snowfall was reported. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Heavy Snow in DONLEY, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 17-FEB-21 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A narrow band of 6 to 9 inch snowfall in just a few hours along I-40 in the northern parts of the county. Further south and east, 3 to 5 inch snowfall was reported. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Heavy Snow in COLLINGSWORTH, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 17-FEB-21 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy snow fell with 4 to 7 inch totals occurring across the county in a short period of time. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Heavy Snow in PALO DORO CANYON, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 17-FEB-21 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

A narrow band of heavy snowfall moved across the area producing snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches in just a few hours. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous and the state park road was closed for over a day due to snow on the main road in and out of the park.

Heavy Snow in WHEELER, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 16-FEB-21 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A narrow band of 5 to 7 inch snowfall occurred along I-40 in the extreme southern parts of the county in just a few hours, while only 1 to 4 inches occurred in the northern reaches of the county. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HUTCHINSON, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 0400 CST on the 14th, Hutchinson County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 1200 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -30��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 28 mph while temperatures were near or below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -13��F and was recorded by the West Texas mesonet located in Stinnett, TX on the morning of the 15th. Borger set an official record low for both the 14th (1��F) and the 15th (-7��F).  Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through close to 187 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 7 days. This was the 3rd longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) for Borger, TX.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HEMPHILL, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 0400 CST on the 14th, Hemphill County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -30��F, which lasted until around 1100 CST on the 15th.  Winds reached speeds of 15 to 26 mph while temperatures were near or below 0��F.  Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went 275 to 332 hours straight, depending on what part of the county, of below freezing temperatures, or about 11 to 13 days.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in POTTER, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 05:20:00 to 15-FEB-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Around 0500 CST on the 14th, Potter County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -25��F, which lasted until around 0800 CST on the 15th.  Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near of below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -13��F which was recorded by the West Texas mesonet site located 9 NNE of Amarillo on the morning of the 15th. The official climate site at the Amarillo Airport set a new daily record low for the 15th with a temperature of -11��F. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went 188 hours straight with below freezing temperatures, or about 7 days. This was the 6th longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) for Amarillo, TX. Amarillo's records date back to 1892.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CARSON, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 05:20:00 to 15-FEB-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 0500 CST on the 14th, Carson County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -25��F, which lasted until around 1300 CST on the 15th. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near of below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -10��F which was recorded by the West Texas mesonet site located in Panhandle, TX on the morning of the 15th. The official climate site at the Amarillo Airport set a new daily record low for the 15th with a temperature of -11��F. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went 260 hours straight with below freezing temperatures, or about 10 days according to the mesonet in Panhandle.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:30:00 to 15-FEB-21 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Around 0330 CST on the 14th, Hartley County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 0900 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -30��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near or below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -11��F in Dalhart, TX on the morning of the 15th. Dalhart set a record low for both the 14th (-10��F) and the 15th.  Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through close to 277 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 11 days. This was the 3rd longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) for Dalhart, TX.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SHERMAN, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:30:00 to 15-FEB-21 08:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

For Sherman County wind chills colder than  -15��F started around 0330 CST (estimated) on the 14th and lasted through roughly 0900 CSST on the 15th. The coldest wind chills got as cold as -33��F with the strongest winds on the 14th. Although this was the most dangerously cold period, the county saw below freezing temperatures for about 187 hours straight, about 8 days. The West Texas mesonet located near Stratford, TX recorded wind speeds around 15 to 20 mph while temperatures were just below freezing. The overall lowest ambient temperature recorded was -18��F overnight on the 14th into the 15th. By this time the winds had decreased some down to around 8 mph.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

From about 0300 CST on the 14th to around 1200 CST on the 15th the county saw brutally cold temperatures with wind chill values reaching as cold as  -30��F. Winds were around 15 to 25 mph during most of the day on the 14th. The coldest ambient temperature of -19��F closer to sunrise on the 15th. By this time winds had dropped to around 8 mph. Although this was the most dangerously cold period on the 14th and 15th, this was just part of a longer time period of below freezing temperatures. Overall the county had seen close to 275  hours straight of below freezing temperatures, about 12 days.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in OCHILTREE, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Around 0300 CST on the 14th, Ochiltree saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 1300 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -33��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph  while temperatures were near or below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -14��F in Perryton, TX on the morning of the 15th. This was a record low for February 15th. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through around 277 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 11 days. This was the 5th longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) at Perryton, TX.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in WHEELER, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 06:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 12:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 0600 CST on the 14th, Wheeler County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -30��F, which lasted until around 1200 CST on the 15th. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 32 mph while temperatures were in the single digits to  below 0��F. The West Texas mesonet site located in Wellington measured an ambient low temperature of -4��F on the morning of the 15th. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went 203 hours straight with below freezing temperatures, or about 8 days.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in DONLEY, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 10:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 1000 CST on the 14th, Donley County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -27��F, which lasted until around 1300 CST on the 15th. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near or below 0��F. The West Texas mesonet site located in Wellington measured an ambient low temperature of -4��F on the morning of the 15th. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went 236 hours straight with below freezing temperatures, or about 9-10 days.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 04:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 07:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 0330 CST on the 14th, Deaf Smith County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 1500 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -32��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 28 mph with temperatures  near or below 0��F. Hereford, TX recorded a low temperature of -10��F on the morning of the 15th.  Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through close to 185 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 7 days ending on the 19th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in ARMSTRONG, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 05:20:00 to 15-FEB-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 0500 CST on the 14th, Armstrong County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -30��F, which lasted until around 0800 CST on the 15th. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near of below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -11��F which was recorded by 3 different West Texas mesonet sites across the county on the morning of the 15th. The official climate site at the Amarillo Airport set a new daily record low for the 15th with a temperature of -11��F. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went 188 hours straight with below freezing temperatures, or about 7-8 days. This was the 6th longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) for Amarillo, TX. Amarillo's records date back to 1892.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in LIPSCOMB, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:30:00 to 15-FEB-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 24.50K
Reported by: AWOS

Around 0300 CST on the 14th, Lipscomb County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 1300 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -33��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near of below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -14��F in Perryton, TX on the morning of the 15th. This was a record low for February 15th. Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through around 277 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 11 days. This was the 5th longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) at Perryton, TX. Some Oklahoma mesonets to the north in Beaver County recorded below freezing temperatures for 306 hours straight.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:30:00 to 15-FEB-21 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Around 0330 CST on the 14th, Hartley County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 0900 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -30��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near or below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -11��F in Dalhart, TX on the morning of the 15th. Dalhart set a record low for both the 14th (-10��F) and the 15th.  Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through close to 277 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 11 days. This was the 3rd longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) for Dalhart, TX.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MOORE, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:30:00 to 15-FEB-21 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 34.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 0330 CST on the 14th, Moore County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 1000 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -35��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near of below 0��F.  Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through about 257 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 10 days. A West Texas Mesonet located in Fritch recorded an ambient temperature low of -8��F on the morning of the 15th.  By this time wind speeds had dropped to below 10 mph. Prolonged cold caused damage to water utilities in Dumas.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in COLLINGSWORTH, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 10:00:00 to 15-FEB-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Mesonet

Around 0600 CST on the 14th, Collingsworth County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F to -27��F, which lasted until around 1130 CST on the 15th. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near or below 0��F. The West Texas mesonet site located in Wellington measured an ambient low temperature of -4��F on the morning of the 15th.  Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went 203 hours straight with below freezing temperatures, or about 8 days.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in DALLAM, TEXAS
From 14-FEB-21 03:30:00 to 15-FEB-21 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Around 0330 CST on the 14th, Dallam County saw wind chill values drop to -15��F and colder, which lasted until around 0900 CST on the 15th. The coldest wind chill value came in around -30��F. Winds reached speeds of 15 to 25 mph while temperatures were near of below 0��F. The coldest ambient temperature came in at -11��F in Dalhart, TX on the morning of the 15th. Dalhart set a record low for both the 14th (-10��F) and the 15th.  Although this period between the 14th and 15th was the most dangerously cold period, the county went through close to 277 hours straight of below freezing temperatures, or about 11 days. This was the 3rd longest stretch below freezing on record (ending February 18th) for Dalhart, TX.

Heavy Snow in OLDHAM, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 16-FEB-21 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A narrow band of 4 to 8 inch snowfall occurred along I-40 in the extreme southern parts of the county in just a few hours, while only 1 to 4 inches occurred in the northern reaches of the county. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Heavy Snow in POTTER, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 16-FEB-21 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A narrow band of 5 to 9 inch snowfall occurred along I-40 in the extreme southern parts of the county in just a few hours, while only 1 to 4 inches occurred in the northern reaches of the county. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Heavy Snow in GRAY, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 13:20:00 to 16-FEB-21 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A narrow band of 5 to 9 inch snowfall occurred along I-40 in the extreme southern parts of the county in just a few hours, while only 1 to 4 inches occurred in the northern reaches of the county. Roads quickly became snow packed and treacherous.

Heavy Snow in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 16-FEB-21 16:00:00 to 16-FEB-21 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Most of the snow fell across the north-central to northeastern portion of the county near the I-40 corridor in just a few hours. 5 to 9 inches fell in the area with the heaviest snow occuring in the far central portions of the county south of Adrian to Vega. 1 to 5 inches fell in the southern parts of the county. Roads quickly became treacherous.