According to the Farmers Almanac, Texas is in for another bitterly cold winter – something none of us are in the mood to hear after February’s historic freeze. That forecast is at odds, however, with the La Niña weather pattern setting up in the Pacific Ocean. So, will Texas freeze over again in another winter storm of the century? Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for winter in Texas.

The unprecedented winter storm of February 2021 caused a historic loss of power, property, and life - the likes of which nobody wants to see happen again.
Isaac Murray / Moment Collection / Getty Images
As we head into winter 2022-2023, the same La Niña pattern present in the Pacific Ocean last season is in place yet again for the third consecutive year.
Ironically, La Niña is supposed to produce fewer winter storms for the United States. This is because it keeps the jet stream well above us near the North Pole.
Wikimedia Commons / NASA image by Jesse Allen
What happened in February actually bears no relation to La Niña. According to Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, the State Climatologist for Texas, a "sudden stratospheric warming event" is to blame for the once-in-a-century freeze.
A disruption in the polar vortex, which normally sits over the Arctic Circle, throws a wrench in the weather pattern for the entire hemisphere.
galinast / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images
This phenomenon almost guarantees extreme, unusual weather. Predicting when and where it will occur, however, is next to impossible.

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This season will be our third consecutive La Niña winter. A triple dip La Niña is something that has happened only twice before now.
RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images
Historically, when a La Niña pattern is in place it means winter is warmer and drier than usual.
All that to say: Texas is certainly less likely to freeze over again in the coming months. We must remember, though, that the February 2021 storm was also the product of a La Niña winter.
Gabriel Cano / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images
So you can remain cautiously optimistic. Just be sure to have a plan in place if the unthinkable does happen!
Here's to hoping we can build a snowman this winter...without the series of unfortunate events a sudden freeze can leave in its wake.
Roz Todaro / Moment Collection / Getty Images

Winter in Texas can be a bit surprising, which always keeps us on our toes. What are your thoughts on the upcoming La Niña winter? Do you think Texas will have another historic winter freeze? Share your Texas winter weather predictions in the comments section!

For more unprecedented winter weather in Texas history, check out our previous article about some of the worst Texas winter storms.

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Winter in Texas

Chris Muras | November 30, 2022

What is La Niña?

La Niña is a weather pattern that occurs when the waters of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean cool significantly. This cooling of the ocean surface can have far-reaching impacts on global weather patterns, including increased rainfall and cooler temperatures across North America. In Texas, La Niña winters often bring increased precipitation and cooler-than-average temperatures. This can be good news for drought-stricken areas, as the extra moisture can help to replenish groundwater reserves. However, it can also lead to more severe winter weather, including ice storms and heavy snowfall.

What is a triple dip, La Niña?

A triple dip La Niña is when there are three consecutive La Niña years, and this is the first time in this century that La Niña has returned for three consecutive years. As warm air travels over the Pacific Ocean it actually causes cooler water to rise to the surface. This shift in ocean temperatures causes unstable weather patterns which can lead to hurricanes. Some parts of the world see cooler and wetter than average conditions while others see warmer drier climate changes.

What will the winter be like in Texas this year?

With La Niña still cruising the Pacific Ocean winter weather in Texas this year could still remain unpredictable. With cooler and wetter weather patterns in the north and dyer warmer conditions predicted in the south, we may be up for some clashing weather fronts that tend to shake things up as far as the climate goes. These unpredictable air patterns have NOAA and the Farmers' Almanac predicting conflicting weather events, temperatures, and precipitation numbers.

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