National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Excessive Rainfall in the Southern Plains; Extreme Heat Coming to the Southwest U.S.

Heavy to severe thunderstorms may bring areas of excessive rainfall and flooding over parts of the southern Plains through Friday. A Slight Risk of excessive rainfall has been issued. Dangerously hot temperatures are forecast across parts of southern Arizona and far southeastern California Saturday through Monday. An Extreme Heat Watch has been issued. 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