Residents of Amarillo, Texas, woke up to a brutal shock this week as temperatures plunged lower than they have in over a century. The city has officially broken a 100-year-old record, with thermometers struggling to rise above 16°F during the day and dropping to a bone-chilling -6°F overnight.
Coldest Day in Over a Century
According to the National Weather Service, the previous record for the coldest high temperature on this day was 24°F, set nearly a hundred years ago. But this week, Amarillo barely reached 16°F, making it one of the coldest days the city has ever seen in February.
As if that weren’t enough, the overnight low plummeted to -6°F, smashing the old record of -4°F set back in 1895. Many longtime residents say they’ve never experienced anything like it, with frozen pipes, icy roads, and bitterly cold winds making daily life challenging.
How This Arctic Blast is Affecting Texas
This isn’t just a cold snap it’s an Arctic invasion, affecting millions across the country. The polar air mass responsible for Amarillo’s deep freeze has pushed south, causing record-breaking temperatures in more than 80 locations across the U.S.
Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statewide advisory, warning Texans to prepare for some of the coldest weather of the year. The Texas Panhandle, including Amarillo, is seeing some of the most extreme conditions, with wind chills making it feel even colder than what the thermometer reads.
In parts of Texas, wind chills have dipped as low as -12°F, making it dangerous to be outside for extended periods. Across the country, places like Glasgow, Montana, have reported wind chills as low as -51°F!
What Residents Need to Do to Stay Safe
With temperatures this extreme, frostbite can occur in as little as 10 minutes if skin is exposed. Residents are urged to:
- Bundle up in layers and cover all exposed skin when going outside.
- Limit outdoor activity, especially for children and the elderly.
- Keep pets indoors or provide them with warm shelter.
- Drip faucets and insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing and bursting.
- Check on neighbors, especially those who may need assistance.
When Will It Warm Up?
While Amarillo is expected to remain in the deep freeze for the next couple of days, meteorologists say a gradual warm-up is on the horizon. Warmer air should start moving in next week, bringing temperatures back to more seasonal levels.
For now, though, Amarillo remains locked in one of its coldest stretches ever recorded, a once-in-a-century event that Texans won’t forget anytime soon.