Galveston, Texas, witnessed an extraordinary weather event on Tuesday as a winter storm transformed its beaches into a snowy wonderland. For many residents, it was a once-in-a-quarter-century moment, as snow blanketed the sandy shores.
It’s been nearly 20 years since Galveston last saw a significant snowfall, making this a truly rare occurrence. In 2004, residents fondly remember the Christmas Day snowfall, but Tuesday’s storm far exceeded previous snowfalls.
According to the National Weather Service, preliminary reports show that snow totals across Galveston County included 3.2 inches in Nassau Bay, 3 inches near Santa Fe, and around 2.8 inches southeast of Santa Fe. On the beach itself, residents reported at least an inch of snow, making for a magical scene rarely experienced in this coastal area.
The last major snowfall before Tuesday’s storm came during the historic statewide deep freeze of 2021, when Galveston saw just 0.3 inch. Even earlier, in December 2008, the island received just an inch of snow. The most memorable snowfall in Galveston’s history was the Great Christmas Eve Snowstorm of 2004, which brought between 1 to 13 inches to Southeast Texas, with the island recording only an inch.
Since weather records began in Galveston in 1870, the island has seen snowfall at least 18 times. The heaviest snowfall in recorded history occurred in 1895, with a record-breaking 15.4 inches, followed by 6 inches in 1886.
Tuesday’s 3-inch snowfall not only transformed Galveston’s beaches but also brought a rare beauty to this coastal town, leaving residents to marvel at the unexpected sight of snow blanketing their familiar surroundings.
