How often does it snow in Dallas?? (Arp: 2015, schools)

[J.Thomas]

Does Dallas consistently get some snow every year or it snows once in a blue moon??

Geography wise people wouldn't expect snow in Dallas but it definitely surprises everyone.

When was the heaviest snowfall??

Thanks.

[bluescreen73]

It rarely snows in Dallas - maybe once every 2-3 years. Dallas gets 1-2 good ice storms per year. That's their wintry precip.

Regardless of whether it's snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain - when it happens the Metroplex turns into one gigantic parking lot.

Forecasters usually know a couple days in advance of when it's going to happen and people make runs on grocery stores like they're going to be trapped in Antarctica for 6 months. It's mildly humorous.

ETA - 3-6" of snow is considered heavy in the Metroplex.

[taroberts]

Snow hmm. I moved here from Baltimore in Fall of 09. Since there I think it has snowed 4 - 6 times. I distinctly remember 3 separate occasions but it has to be less than 6. We have had about 2-3 more really bad ice storms though.

[TheOverdog]

I would say it snows nearly every year, but melts away in about 1 day. In 15 or so years in DFW, I think it hasn't snowed at all maybe 3-4 of those. Ice storms have actually been more common recently than snow. Prior to 2008, if I recall correctly, I'd gotten 1 day off due to ice since 2000. Since then, there have been a few ice days.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by bluescreen73

It rarely snows in Dallas - maybe once every 2-3 years. Dallas gets 1-2 good ice storms per year. That's their wintry precip.

Regardless of whether it's snow, ice, sleet, or freezing rain - when it happens the Metroplex turns into one gigantic parking lot.

Forecasters usually know a couple days in advance of when it's going to happen and people make runs on grocery stores like they're going to be trapped in Antarctica for 6 months. It's mildly humorous.

ETA - 3-6" of snow is considered heavy in the Metroplex.

I'm going to nitpick some of these points.

Snow: No, the metroplex doesn't turn into a parking lot. Some things close, sure; but I can always get around in daylight if it's just snow.

Ice/sleet/freezing rain: Yes, that can be dangerous to drive on and many businesses/schools close.

Snow only every 2-3 years: No, the NOAA itself disagrees with your assessment:

DFW - Annual Normals, Means, and Extremes

1-2 ice storms a year: That is not my recollection. 2013, yes. We had a big ice storm. 2014-2015: As I recall those were more snow/sleet than freezing rain which packed frozen precipitation on the ground which then became ice; I suppose it depends on how you define an "ice storm."

3-6" of snow is heavy: Yes, that is accurate. We don't normally get that much snow in a single event.

People go nuts at the supermarket: Eh, kinda. Last time we were expecting snow/ice/sleet/whatever, I went to the supermarket and the only thing they were sold out of was bread. They were running low on milk and soup too. Other than that, business as usual.

[taroberts]

Originally Posted by TheOverdog

I would say it snows nearly every year, but melts away in about 1 day.

LOL do you mean dusting

and melts at dawn

[fastfingers33]

how often is it really cold in dallas? I looked at the temperature and it looked like winter can last 2 months where it's close to 40. Is it really that cold?

[MckinneyOwnr]

Weather has changed a bit in the DFW area over the past 20-30 years. Whether you blame El Nino type stuff for it or what, the fact is that snow has become more prevalent in the area than it used to be. I remember when it iced/snowed real bad back in... 87? 88? Schools were shut down for about a week. After that, we didn't have any snow for about a decade. It simply doesn't usually snow much around here, but that's changed the last few years. In fact, this year in March we had the most snow we've had in the area in like 60 years. The average is like 2" per year, so when you spread that out over Dec, Jan, and Feb, you can imagine how insignificant the snowfall is around here. Usually a light dusting. The last few years though, have obviously bucked that trend.

Climate Dallas-DFW Intl Arpt - Texas and Weather averages Dallas-DFW Intl Arpt

Normally you could just expect to have 2-3 ice days, and that was about it.

[bencronin04]

Originally Posted by fastfingers33

how often is it really cold in dallas? I looked at the temperature and it looked like winter can last 2 months where it's close to 40. Is it really that cold?

It all depends on your definition of really cold. Really cold to me is anything in the 30s or lower. In that case, it gets really cold in Dallas every year.

[taroberts]

Originally Posted by fastfingers33

how often is it really cold in dallas? I looked at the temperature and it looked like winter can last 2 months where it's close to 40. Is it really that cold?

Yes. it is in the 40's from about xmas until early march

ETA: and 30's and a few 20's and 1 or 2 "teen" days