I20 thru Texas in December
Plan to take I20 through Texas between 12/20 and 12/31. What are likely weather conditions along the road during this time period? Thanks
Forum Discussion
Unpredictable. Even when a storm system is known to be coming through the area, they can't say 12 hours ahead whether it will be windy and dry, wet, snowy, or coat everything with ice.
Statistical risk of storms shutting down the road for snow or ice in a given winter month are probably less than once every five years, but I've seen it happen three times in one winter. I-20 is more likely to be closed for wind conditions, west of Dallas, than for precipitation.
I-10 is less likely to ice up than I-20, but going to Houston maybe 10 times in the winter over a 30 year period, I've been iced into my hotel room twice. That's not even where I10 gets its winter weather. I-10 is subject to winter conditions around where I-20 ends and you end up on I-10 anyway.At that point, you are crossing the Rockies. Not as high as in Colorado, Montana, or Alberta, but it is still the Rockies, lifting air masses and making them dump moisture.
Either way, you get freezing something on the road, they close it, you stop a day or two waiting for it to melt or be cleared, then you go on.
Statistical risk of storms shutting down the road for snow or ice in a given winter month are probably less than once every five years, but I've seen it happen three times in one winter. I-20 is more likely to be closed for wind conditions, west of Dallas, than for precipitation.
I-10 is less likely to ice up than I-20, but going to Houston maybe 10 times in the winter over a 30 year period, I've been iced into my hotel room twice. That's not even where I10 gets its winter weather. I-10 is subject to winter conditions around where I-20 ends and you end up on I-10 anyway.At that point, you are crossing the Rockies. Not as high as in Colorado, Montana, or Alberta, but it is still the Rockies, lifting air masses and making them dump moisture.
Either way, you get freezing something on the road, they close it, you stop a day or two waiting for it to melt or be cleared, then you go on.
