That Time a Snowstorm Hit Houston
I’ve been living in Houston for more than half a decade, and winter storms are a rarity in this Texas metropolis. The last time I saw snow in Houston was in 2021, and it was a bad experience (iykyk). However, the recent snowstorm that passed by was considered to be a generational and a memorable one for all Americans living in the South.
The Forecast
“Houston is bracing for a winter storm!” my co-worker exclaimed. It was a topic of discussion with my friends and family—a rare winter storm is expected to hit our city. Honestly, we got a bit worried. The last snowstorm in Texas was a massive mess. It caused a statewide power failure and millions of Texans were exposed to freezing temperatures as the polar vortex swept across the entire state. This time, however, the forecast is confident that it won’t be a repeat of that catastrophic event. Instead, it predicts a storm with an expected 5 to 6 inches of snow with lesser risk of power failure. Now, that level of snowfall is truly unique here in the South. Typically, winter only brings cold fronts with wind chill and light precipitation. But a 6-inch snowfall is something unheard of. Nevertheless, my friends and I tried our best to “winterize” our homes and apartments, just to be safe for the upcoming winter event. I’ve never experienced anything like this in this place. So, on the night before the storm, I set up my camera and slept, expecting a huge landscape change overnight.
Frozen it is
The next morning, I woke up to the harsh wind rustling through my bedroom window. As I looked out, I was surprised to see that everything was covered in snow!
It was an entirely different environment! I felt like I was living in another state. I couldn’t believe I was actually in Houston. The apartment complex I’m staying in was completely white, cars were frozen, and the roads were submerged in thick snow. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Despite the cold, I bundled up, stayed on my patio, and witnessed the beauty of this winter storm.
After that, I noticed my neighbors emerging from their apartments, enjoying the snow with their families and friends. Inspired by their happiness, I decided to step out and experience the snowstorm myself. It felt like being a kid again. I ran around the neighborhood, made snowballs, created my first snow angel, and sent pictures to my friends and family abroad. I even ventured further to the nearest park to capture its unique perspective. Surprisingly, the park was also filled with people. I saw individuals bringing their pets, children playing around, and ordinary people simply curious about the change in scenery. This snowstorm transformed the entire city into a giant playground, and Houstonians reveled in the experience (like I saw in the news that someone is skiing along highway 69 haha). The best part? We didn’t lose power (at least in my area). This generational event turned out to be truly enjoyable.
While enjoying the snow, I discovered that this winter storm extended across southern Texas to as far as Florida! In fact, Louisiana issued a historic blizzard warning, which is exceptionally rare in the state. Overall, this once-in-a-lifetime winter event is truly enjoyable. I wonder when the next snowstorm will hit Houston. Who knows? But I hope it’s as pleasant as this one.
