SAN ANTONIO — A record-breaking snowstorm hit San Antonio more than 35 years ago this week, on Jan 12, 1985. This storm still stands at No. 1 for record snowfall in San Antonio as 13.5 inches of snow blanketed the Alamo City.
During the span of two days, 6 to 14 inches of snowfall fell within the area from Eagle Pass to Austin.
Below are some key facts about the 1985 snowstorm, according to the National Weather Service.
Timeline of snowfall:
Friday, Jan. 11 - Snow begins falling near Del Rio around 7:30 to 9 p.m. then spreads to San Antonio around 11:35 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 12 - Snow falls and accumulates throughout the day with 10 inches recorded by midnight.
Sunday, Jan. 13 - Snowfall finally ends during the early morning hours with total snowfall amounts shattering the previous San Antonio record of 6.4 inches back in 1926.
How did the event happen?
Cold - Two surges of cold air occurred beginning Thursday Jan. 10 then a blast of Arctic air on Jan. 11. This led to below-freezing temperatures across the area.
Moisture - A low pressure moved into the area accompanied by moisture at upper levels of the atmosphere from the tropics to the south and southwest.
Lift - A series of disturbances ahead of the main low over northern Mexico swept across the area ultimately causing the storm to build bringing falling snow.
NWS says the record snowfall impacted traffic with vehicles unable to drive until the afternoon of Jan 14. Carports, storefront canopies and old roofs collapsed under heavy snowfall.
In San Antonio, graders were used as snowplows to clear the San Antonio International Airport runways for the first time ever.
There was only one fatality recorded during this historic event of a man who suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow, according to NWS.
The most recent February winter storm of 2021 is rated as the fifth-biggest in San Antonio history when we received 3.7 inches of snowfall.
