The ‘Great Freeze of 1983′, The Coldest Christmas in East Texas History

This Christmas is expected to be one of the warmest in Deep East Texas history. Heck, this entire week of Christmas, starting with December 20, has been springlike with temperatures averaging about 20 degrees above normal. Above normal temperatures over the Christmas holiday have been more the rule than the exception over the past few years, but do you remember the coldest Christmas week in Texas history?

The Christmas of 1983

On the night of December 21, the temperature dipped below the freezing mark, on its way to a low of 25. Lufkin would not reach the freezing mark again until midday on December 28, around 150 hours of below-freezing temperatures. Numerous records were broken, including the record for December 25, as the low temperature made it all the way down to 8.

The 'Great Freeze of 1983', as it came to be called, was a catastrophe for many Texans. Plumbers could not keep up with the demand for busted water lines, plants and vegetation died on a wide scale, and livestock perished, not only because of the harsh temperatures, but also because of dehydration since stock ponds and water troughs froze over. The one saving grace was that the majority of schools were already out on Christmas break, so the decision to cancel classes was never an issue.

READ MORE: Holiday Heat Wave Soon To Give Way to Polar Front

Polar Blast On The Way

By Sunday evening, forecasters believe a strong cold front will push through Deep East Texas. This will send temperatures into the 40s by late Sunday, and many in the Pineywoods will not top 50 until next Tuesday, December 29.