While snow is a rare occurrence in Houston, historical records show it has happened sporadically over the past few decades.

While Iowa is recovering from a cold snap with negative 30 wind chill, the state is running about 20 to 30 inches below average for seasonal snowfall.

20 inches on Valentine's Day The mother of all snows came on Valentine's Day in 1895. Houston was hit with 20 inches of snow on Feb. 14 and 15. The snow didn't just fall in Houston. It was a massive storm that dropped snow from Tampico, Mexico, to Pensacola, Florida, and set records in New Orleans and Alabama.

On February 14, 1895, the Houston area recorded a whopping 20 inches of snow. We’re not going to get there this time…not even close, so that record is safe. But as we look at some of the other snowfall totals, the one we're experiencing now has got a chance.

Salt or the brine solution does not necessarily melt ice or snow with increased heat. It merely brings the freezing point of water to lower temperatures. At the molecular level, the salt molecules get in the way of the bonding water molecules helping it not to freeze.

While some areas reported more than five inches of snow on Tuesday, Bush Airport only recorded 1.2 inches. IAH is Houston's official site for reporting snowfall. The 1.2 inches is not in the top 3 for the snow events at Bush. It did set the Jan. 21 record for the most snow on that date at the airport.