Is It Possible That Houston Saw Below Zero Temperature?

[Ptarmigan]

Officially, Houston never saw below 0 when records were kept. However, I think it is very possible that Houston did see below 0 temperature in areas there were no weather stations and development. I think most likely in the January 1886 and February 1899 freeze, which was a very deep freeze. Both 1886 and 1899 freeze caused Galveston Bay to freeze up.

Why I think that? Back than Houston was not developed and largely forested or open land. There are also other big freezes that occurred from 1850 to 1890. Those freezes could of produced below 0 for Houston during that time.

NCDC: Extreme Events of Feb 1999
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/ext ... s0299.html

History of Freezes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Part II 1895-1962
http://www.raingardens.com/psst/articles/artic02.htm

A History of Severe Freezes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley -- Part III
http://www.raingardens.com/psst/articles/artic03.htm

[C2G]

I can definitely see a prolonged freeze, one severe enough to freeze Galveston bay, attain a number of -0.
I hope to never see below zero temps in my lifetime. Already miserable when the temps get below 60 degrees.

[TexasMetBlake]

I am sure at some point the Houston area has hit zero or below. When the record was set in 1940 of 5 degrees, the observation point was downtown. If downtown reached 5, you know Conroe, present day Hooks, IAH, and other outlying areas saw zero or below. On January 31st, 1949, College Station dropped to -3 while Houston only managed like 11. Basically Houstonw as probably covered in clouds and the clearing line had passed College Station. I think that is the closest below zero temps have ever been officially to the Houston area.

[Ptarmigan]

I am sure at some point the Houston area has hit zero or below. When the record was set in 1940 of 5 degrees, the observation point was downtown. If downtown reached 5, you know Conroe, present day Hooks, IAH, and other outlying areas saw zero or below. On January 31st, 1949, College Station dropped to -3 while Houston only managed like 11. Basically Houstonw as probably covered in clouds and the clearing line had passed College Station. I think that is the closest below zero temps have ever been officially to the Houston area.

The 5 degree temperature was in 1930, not 1940. However, there was a hard freeze in 1940. I would not be surprised if below 0 did happen in 1930, 1940, and 1949.

Houston Freeze
http://www.wxresearch.com/freeze.htm

Houston January Record
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/?n=climate_iah_normals_jan\

I notice a lot of freezes in the late 1880s to 1890s, 1930s to 1950s, and 1970s to 1980s. Must be cyclical.

[msanwxfan]

I think another interesting question would be if we'll ever see those low temps in the next 50 or 100 years?

[TexasMetBlake]

I think another interesting question would be if we'll ever see those low temps in the next 50 or 100 years?

Sure, why wouldn't we?