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December 4, 2009

Snow falling in Southeast Texas could break 2008 record



By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

There may not yet be enough white stuff falling on Southeast Texas ground to fashion a rotund Frosty the Snowman, but the weather outside is already frightful.

For the second consecutive year, snow falling in December is likely to break weather records in the Golden Triangle.

By mid-afternoon Friday, reports of snow falling in the area were emerging from areas north of Interstate 10, in Beaumont, Lumberton, Kountze and Jasper, according to the National Weather Service.

The News readers have reported snow in northern parts of Orange County.

NWS meteorologists are predicting an 80 percent chance of snow Friday as a winter storm moves through Southeast Texas later this afternoon. Up to an inch of snow is expected.

Last year, on Dec. 11, records for the earliest and the heaviest December snowfall at the Southeast Texas Regional Airport were set.

In Groves 2 inches was recorded; 1 inch in Nederland; 1 inch in Port Neches, 1.8 inches in Port Arthur, and 1 inch in Orange, Mike Griffin, meteorologist with the Lake Charles National Weather Service office, said.

This year, snow is falling nearly a week earlier.

According to The News archives, National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office reported 1.8 inches of snow was recorded at the regional airport Dec. 11. Last year’s snowfall broke the former record set on Dec. 22, 1989 when a mere .7 inches fell locally.

Prior to 2008, It had not snowed in this area since Christmas Eve 2004.

skoonce@panews.com

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