National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Extreme Heat in the Southwest; Severe Weather in the Northern Plains; Heavy Rain in the East

Extreme heat continues across the Southwest as temperatures may top 120 degrees. The heat may expand across the West and south-central U.S. into the middle of the month. Severe thunderstorms capable of severe wind gusts and large hail will be the primary hazards today across the northern Plains into the upper Midwest. Rainfall could be locally heavy across the Eastern U.S. today. Read More >

February 1899

 

A severe arctic outbreak consumed much of the country during the first half of February 1899.  Temperatures fell below 0°F in every state in the continental U.S.  Well over a century later, many all-time record lows remain from this event.  Ice on the Mississippi River flowed past New Orleans for the first time since 1784.

Between February 4 and February 13, there were only 8 hours with temperatures at or above freezing (on February 8) at the Weather Bureau office in downtown Fort Worth.  Despite northwest winds gusting over 30 mph, the mercury plummeted  to -8°F the morning of February 12.  The barometric pressure soared to 31.00".  Dallas dipped to -10°F, and Grapevine fell to -12°F.  Below are some other low temperatures recorded across North Texas on February 12, 1899.

 

February 12, 1899 - Low Temperatures