A Winter Story

Dalhart Weather Review

By Aaron Graves

Dalhart received another 1.5” of snow on Thursday, Jan. 23, which was a bit more than forecast. It was another dry snow, however. Only 0.01” or moisture was recorded at the airport and reported to the National Weather Service office in Amarillo. 

Still, it was pretty, or so I was told. I rode this snow event out in Lubbock. I made the three hour trip south for family reasons, and I delayed returning until Friday because of a promise I made to myself. “NEVER TRAVEL IN WINTER WEATHER AGAIN.”

I drove through a heavy snow storm on I-27 in this small two door sports car. 

Back at the turn of the century (sounds cool to say that), I found myself on I-27 in treacherous conditions, not once, but twice! The first year, it was ice. The second year, a heavy snow storm. In both cases, I had to creep along to avoid becoming one of numerous cars, vans and semis scattered along the side of the road, laying upside down or on their sides. I even saw a snow plow lose control and spin out.  

Thus, the promise to never travel during a winter event, a promise that I broke a few years later. Again, I set off from Lubbock, this time with my family in tow. Light snow was falling, and the roads looked passable, provided I kept my speed down and was cautious.  It was a good strategy. Unfortunately, other drivers were not as careful. 

Outside of Canyon, the Interstate was covered by a light layer of snow. A white Oldsmobile lost control and began spinning across both lanes of north-bound traffic. Other drivers ahead of me did what they could to avoid hitting him, one car coming within inches. Although I was driving slow, my mental math calculator told me I could not stop before rear-ending the nearest car. 

My only option was either left or right. Either way, however, I would most likely lose control of the van I was driving. So whatever move I made, it had to be a good one. Left had too many obstacles - cars, light posts, signs. To the right, I spotted an opening between sign posts and a nice, flat grassy area. I announced to the family I was “heading for the ditch, hold on”, and tried to gently steer off the road. 

Sure enough, when I hit the grass, the van began to spin. The back end tried to pass me on the left, and we did a complete 360 as I turned into the spin. Everyone screamed! And then, we stopped. 

The van did not flip, and we did not hit anyone or anything. We survived, as did the Oldsmobile and all the other cars that could have been caught up in the carnage. But the lesson was learned, this time for good. It does not matter the amount of snow, traveling in winter weather is dangerous! 

I have not done it since, and I always encourage everyone to check the weather before leaving on a trip. Winter will surprise you, given the chance. 

For the rest of this week, look for highs in the mid 50’s through Friday. Saturday we will drop back into the mid 40s again. Friday will be a bit on the windy side, with gusts up to 25 mph. Overnight lows will fall into the mid to low 20s. No rain or snow is in the forecast. 

Hi and low temps the past week

Jan 20: 56, 26

Jan 21: 67, 20

Jan 22: 48, 25

Jan 23: 30, 0

Jan 24: 55, 4

Jan 25: 60, 29

Jan 26: 61, 29