We'd be a lot warmer this weekend to early next week if not for so, so much snow cover from Mississippi & Tennessee to the North Pole!
This, even with a chunk of the abnormally warm air over the Caribbean (it was 89 in Florida today). It was still only 41 for a high at Corpus Christi, Texas & 37 at Houston.
Atlanta, Georgia hit 55, Anniston, Alabama 56................but southern Mississippi's McComb was only 34.
The cold is still having trouble really moving east & the really cold air has still move more due south than east.
Massive blocking over Greenland & the Southeast U.S. continues while a loose piece of the Polar Vortex continues to pivot through the Plains.
Overall, this is the worst Texas cold wave with the most widespread ice & snow since February 1996 or December 1989.
It the most intense cold wave in northern Mexico since 2017 when intense cold made it all the way to northern Veracruz & even the northwestern Yucatan (we had 2-3 consecutive mornings around -21 here that killed some peach trees to the roots).
Other recent Texas cold waves that were intense include 2014 & 2011.
1-2" snow is expected from the snow tonight-Thursday.
Widespread light snow will become scattered with time Thursday.
14-20 tonight will give way to highs of 22-28 tomorrow.
Northeast winds 10-20 mph to northwest 10-20 mph tonight to tomorrow will lead to some minor blowing & drifting snow.
Scattered lake effect snow showers/flurries are possible, mainly in our northern & northeastern areas with local dustings/coatings & highs 20-25 with north wind 10-15 mph. This after morning lows in the 10-16 range.
After 3-9 Friday night, sunshine Saturday will give way to increasing clouds with highs 24-30 with south wind 10 mph.
A mix of freezing rain, sleet & snow is possible Saturday night-Sunday AM, followed by all rain Sunday PM-Sunday night-Monday AM. Minor ice & snow accumulation is possible with icy roadways possible Saturday night-Sunday morning.
After lows 17-24 Saturday evening, temperatures will rise to 26-31 with strong southeast to south wind 15-25 mph. Before the icing & some snow, some blowing & drifting snow will occur.
Strong south-southwest to southwest winds to 33 mph are expected Sunday PM-night-Monday AM with highs 37-45.
Rain should exit Monday late AM with cloudy to mostly cloudy skies, a few flurries & west to west-northwest winds 20-35 mph to follow. Temperatures 37-45 should fall to 32-36.
1-2" of rainfall is expected Sunday, February 21 to Monday, March 1.
By March 7, 2-4" rainfall total is possible.