 The Midwestern United States lacks natural geographic barriers to protect itself from the frigid winter air masses that originate in Canada and the arctic.Multiple times per year conditions will become favorable to push severe cold fronts as far south as Texas, bringing sleet and snow and causing the windchill to plunge into the teens.Depending on the time of year, high temperatures that immediately precede a Texas Norther can reach 85 °F or even 90 °F under bright sunlight in nearly-calm conditions before the cold front approaches.