Recently, temperatures across Texas, from San Antonio to Austin and far-off Dallas, have been below 30 degrees, freezing everything solid.

People often think that living in Texas means wearing short sleeves all year round, but when winter finally arrives here, it can really throw you off. The cold weather is a problem, but the way the city itself responds to the cold is very much 'Texas-style.'

Having lived in Texas for 20 years, I have a sense that it's not just the weather getting cold; it feels like the entire city is shocked by the cold.

The first characteristic of a Texas winter is how the weather changes suddenly, like riding an elevator.

Just yesterday, I was happily walking around in short sleeves under the Texas sun, and then I wake up to find the temperature has plummeted below freezing. You can't expect a gradual transition from fall to winter like in Korea. So, how can people be prepared? It's a common sight in this neighborhood to see everyone scrambling to find their thick winter coats buried in the back of the closet every morning.

In Texas, ice is much more frightening than snow. There are many more days when cold rain falls and freezes right on the ground than there are romantic scenes of heavy snowfall. When a thin layer of ice forms on the roads, they truly become a giant skating rink.

While people in northern towns are experts at driving in the snow, Texas drivers are completely unprepared for such situations. That's why news reports of cars sliding off the road are constant. News of cars spinning down icy hills keeps repeating.

The city infrastructure is also helpless against the cold. Whether in San Antonio or Dallas, these cities were built with warm weather in mind. Water pipes aren't buried deep underground, and home insulation is minimal. Even a slight drop in temperature can lead to issues like no running water. People living in the cold Northeast might wonder, "Why is there such a fuss over this level of cold?" but it's important to understand that the very design of Texas cities isn't meant to withstand this kind of cold.

Another unique feature of Texas is how the rhythm of life completely falls apart when the weather gets cold. Just the forecast of snow can lead to school closures and companies switching to remote work. Instead of the northern work ethic of "I still have to go to work," the Texas approach is more about "It's dangerous, so let's just stay home." As a result, grocery stores are packed with people trying to buy bread and essentials, and shelves quickly empty out.

Lastly, it's amusing to see the pride Texans take in their weather. They often boast that winter in their town is warm, but when the power goes out and the heating stops, everyone panics and doesn't know what to do.

Still, amidst all this, seeing neighbors checking in on each other, lending generators, and sharing a cup of coffee shows that people are fundamentally the same everywhere. Texas winters may not be long, but they are very intense. It's interesting to think that even in this land known for its heat, such cold weather can occur as you go through life.