Winters in Amarillo & Pampa (Dallas, Panhandle: living, metro, humidity)

[Sandstorm214]

Sure...I understand where you're coming from. For the most part, if you enjoy lots of sunshine and low humidity like I do, you should be ok I think. Hope everything works out for you.

[JRoss84]

Thank you gayletx and everyone else that took the time to give me some info and something to think about.

[JRoss84]

Does Dalhart get more snow then Pampa or Amarillo then since there higher up in the panhandle and closer to New Mexico and Colorado, or is it about the same?

[shoe01]

Originally Posted by JRoss84

Does Dalhart get more snow then Pampa or Amarillo then since there higher up in the panhandle and closer to New Mexico and Colorado, or is it about the same?

I read that snowfall in the Panhandle is heavily dependent on elevation, so I think that Dalhart would get the most at nearly 4000 ft, while Amarillo would come in second at around 3700, and Pampa would get the least at roughly 3200. Also, it varies from one year to the next.

[JRoss84]

Thanks shoe01 thats kinda what i thought to.

[catman]

I think it would vary from year to year. I did a little research in the Texas Almanac and compared the three counties in annual precipitation and average low January temperature:

Dallas County (Dalhart): 18.57", 19.0 degrees F
Potter County (Amarillo): 19.71", 22.6 degrees F
Gray County (Pampa): 22.71", 21.9 degrees F

So, while Pampa is a little warmer than Dalhart, it's also a bit wetter, so if it's cold enough, there is more to freeze. I'd say it's too close to call. It seems to me that Pampa is likely to have more snow than Amarillo. Central Oklahoma ges a lot of snow even at a significantly lower elevation, simply because it is more humid.

[JRoss84]

Thanks catman that was very useful information.

[catman]

You're welcome, JRoss84. I like doing stuff like this, as I'm interested in climatology. I've been working on finding the perfect place for me to live, at least climate-wise. My favorite place in Texas is the Fort Davis-Alpine-Marfa area. Even better would be southern NM at 6000-8000 feet. Of course, climate isn't the only thing to consider.

[txsizzler]

Originally Posted by catman

I think it would vary from year to year. I did a little research in the Texas Almanac and compared the three counties in annual precipitation and average low January temperature:

Dallas County (Dalhart): 18.57", 19.0 degrees F
Potter County (Amarillo): 19.71", 22.6 degrees F
Gray County (Pampa): 22.71", 21.9 degrees F

So, while Pampa is a little warmer than Dalhart, it's also a bit wetter, so if it's cold enough, there is more to freeze. I'd say it's too close to call. It seems to me that Pampa is likely to have more snow than Amarillo. Central Oklahoma ges a lot of snow even at a significantly lower elevation, simply because it is more humid.

Just so that you know, its actually Dallam County for Dalhart, not Dallas. FYI, the most snow to fall in the state in 24 hours, belongs to Plainview, TX, (24"), with Vega, TX (west of Amarillo) having the record for the most snow DEPTH at an amazing 61 inches!!!.

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Texas is -23 F, which happened in Seminole on Feb. 8, 1933. Seminole, oddly is well south of the Panhandle, SW of Lubbock! You would think the coldest low would belong up around Dalhart, Texline, Pampa, Vega, Perryton, Dumas, or many the other tiny towns that dot that area.


Ian

[JRoss84]

Catman - What would you consider to be the perfect climate? I am looking for a place that has cold & snowy winters & not extremely hot summers. I live in Phoenix so it gets pretty hot out here and winter out here is really like fall.