This Day in Weather History: January 12 is anniversary of San Antonio’s record setting 1985 snowstorm

It was a day, for anyone who lived in San Antonio during the mid-80s, will remember for a lifetime.

January 12 marks the anniversary of the 1985 snowstorm. San Antonio was blanketed with 13.5″ of snow, enough to bring the city to complete standstill. Even Del Rio picked up 8.6″. It’s a South Texas snowstorm that broke records and will likely won’t be rivaled for a long time.

How did it happen?

It took a perfect setup. An artic front blasted south just days prior. With a deep layer of cold air firmly in place an upper level low approached from the west. This upper level low tapped into high level Pacific moisture, much like what we might see in the spring. Combine that with a track of the low over the area and it was and ideal situation for snow.

Records: