Houston Snow: A Once-in-a-Blue-Moon (or Rather, a Red-Hot-Chili-Pepper) Occurrence
Ah, Houston. The land of scorching summers, humidity that could frizz the hair off a poodle, and...snow? You read that right, folks. But before you start digging out your skis and packing your parka, hold on to your cowboy hats. Houston's relationship with snow is about as likely as finding a decent parking spot downtown during Rodeo season.
The Great Houston Snow Mystery: How Much is Enough to Count?
So, how often does this winter wonderland appear in H-Town? Buckle up, because this is where things get a little hazy. There's no official scorekeeper for Houston snow, and what qualifies as a "snowfall" can be a real head-scratcher. Some folks might say a light dusting that melts on contact doesn't count. Others will argue that any flurry that forces you to break out the emergency… well, anything besides sunglasses… is a bona fide snow event.
Here's the thing: Houston's idea of snow is more like a fleeting dream than a blizzard. We're talking about those little wispy things that dance in the air for a hot minute before succumbing to our subtropical climate.
They Do Keep Records, Right? Right?
According to some sources, there have only been a handful of snowfalls in Houston this century, most of them barely measurable. But hold on to your Stetsons, history buffs! If you dig back into the dusty archives, you'll find records of some slightly more substantial snowfalls. We're talking about the late 1800s and early 1900s, when Houston apparently had a slightly cooler disposition. There are even whispers of a 4.4-inch snowstorm in 1960! Can you imagine the chaos? School canceled? Grocery stores out of bread and milk? Mass hysteria over the prospect of a snowball fight?
The Verdict: Houston Snow is a Rare Gem
So, the next time someone asks you about snow in Houston, you can confidently say this: it's not exactly a winter wonderland, but it does happen. Just don't expect to build a snowman taller than a jalapeno pepper.
Here's your cheat sheet for Houston Snow:
- Frequency: Measured snowfalls? Less common than a politician keeping a campaign promise.
- Amount: We're talking dustings, folks. More like fairy dust than a snow day.
- Chance of a snowball fight: Unless you're packing snow in from the Arctic, this is a fantasy best left to the imagination.
But hey, even if Houston snow is a rare occurrence, it's a reminder that sometimes, even the most unexpected things can happen. Just like finding a decent parking spot downtown during Rodeo season. (Okay, maybe that's a bit too much to hope for.)
