Don't laugh: it really does get cold in Dallas-Fort Worth. The difference between winters here in north Texas and winters in the northern states, however, is that it typically doesn't stay cold for long around here. That's because temperatures fluctuate wildly, from one extreme to the next, and can be totally wild. Locals frequently cite the adage, "If you don't like the weather here in Dallas-Fort Worth, wait a few hours" or, "Welcome to Dallas: where you can experience all four seasons in a single day." But the winter of 1977-1978 was different. This winter in Dallas was unlike anything we'd ever seen before - or since!

Cold weather typically comes late in the season, but not during the winter of 1977-1978.

While the meteorological winter season runs from December through February, most wintry precipitation around here occurs from January to March rather than during the earlier months of winter. Leaves may not even turn until November. When wintry weather arrives early, it catches all of us by surprise.

These cacti were certainly caught off guard by a surprising ice storm.

It's not an everyday sight, cacti frozen over... but we had that here, if only for a little while.

In the winter of 1977-1978, the area's average temperature was 39.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

This makes it the coldest winter on record in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We hope it stays the coldest on record - no colder than that for us, please. Thanks.

Additionally, there were 62 reported freezes - also a winter record.

When a wintry mix - more commonly called an ice storm - strikes the area, everything shuts down.

This is because there is not enough equipment and supplies on hand to keep roadways clear, and oftentimes we end up with everything covered in a half-inch (or more) of ice. It's a pain, to say the least.

North Texans also simply don't know how to drive on snow and ice.

Accidents tie up the highways and keep crews busy. The advice is always to just stay home. It's seriously just easier that way (and safer).

This robin was fooled into thinking spring was coming, but it's okay. So were we.

He apparently forgot that north Texas easily sees temperature swings of up to 50 degrees in a single day ... and that's the norm.

While this year was record-setting for north Texans, most of our winters are a little bit of cold followed by mild temperatures...and then repeat! It's not unusual to see temperatures in the 70s or down to the teens. But isn't that better than a constant, bone-chilling cold any day? It's our spring that has more people talking...that's when we get high winds, hailstorms, and tornadoes. But it's just another aspect of living here, and we just wouldn't be happier anywhere else.

Have you experienced a winter here in Dallas - Fort Worth, and if so, what are your thoughts on our climate? What are some of your favorite things to do in Dallas in the winter? Let us know!