2021 Texas Winter Storm: My Statistics

Here is a summary of my statistics per photos taken, small sample analysis, and news report for the 2021 Texas Winter Storm (February 12 - 19, 2021) 

Snow 3 times

first snow Feb 13 night, < 0.1 inch accumulation

 heavy snow Feb 14 night , 3-7 inch

third snow Feb 16 night, 1 ~ 2 inch

Lowest Temperature 2F (Feb 15) 

Temperature started to drop on Chinese New Year's day (Feb 12)    The coldest day had clear sky

Feb 15, 7am, Temperature 2F

People in the street in early Monday (Feb 15) morning: 2

2 pairs of footprints Feb 15 in the street

Exercise: Running: 1; Walking in the house: N

Rolling blackout: 30%

A quick survey from a small sample of people who are spread in North Texas indicated ~ 30% rolling blackout rate. News reported that there were 3 million households that experienced rolling blackout. Texas has 10 million households. So 30% is a very good estimate.

It was those who sulfured hardship were the vocal majority on social media and the focus of the News report. Those who were not affected, kept quiet and count their blessing

Burst pipe: N.  (estimated) less than 10%

There were fewer households that experienced burst pipe incidents than those experienced rolling blackout. I observed 4 possible pipe bursts during our daily walk in the community (which has ~ 500 houses), 2 were confirmed by rushing water or plumber; 2 were possible because homeowners came out to close main valves.  That's less than 1%. News report said thousands of houses had burst pipe. So I estimate that the burst pipe incident should be less than 10%.

water rushing out a neighbor's house! 

Most commonly seen  birds in Russell Creek Park area  - Robins

I typically see no Robins in the winters. But this past week, I saw large flocks of robins at residential area, on a tree, or around the Russel Creek pond. 

Upon literature research, this is not an abnormality. It is natural phenomenon according to Cornell University's All About bird website. In winter robins form nomadic flocks, which can consist of hundreds to thousands of birds. Usually these flocks appear where there are plentiful fruits on trees and shrubs, such as crabapples, hawthorns, holly, juniper, and others. 

American Robins and ? Cardinals

Most Common water fowls  - Mallard and America Coot 

Mallard in the front, Coots in the back

Fluid dynamics phenomena: N

wind tunnel!

recirculation zoon

Eddy on the roof

Wind swept

Most distinguishable  landmarks in our community:1

 Lonestar flag in my front yard