Fort Worth, Texas – A significant winter weather event is expected to impact North and Central Texas from Friday evening through Sunday, bringing freezing rain, sleet, and snow that could create hazardous travel and potential power outages.
According to the National Weather Service Fort Worth office, conditions are expected to begin deteriorating Friday evening in North Texas, spreading southward overnight and into Central Texas by Saturday morning. Freezing rain is forecast to develop first, followed by sleet and snow as colder air deepens.
Ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.5 inches are expected across much of North and Central Texas, with locally higher amounts possible in parts of East Texas. Forecasters warn that as little as a quarter inch of ice can cause widespread power outages due to ice loading on trees and power lines.
In addition to ice, accumulating sleet and snow are expected to fall on top of existing ice. Combined sleet and snow totals of 1 to 3 inches are forecast across much of the Dallas–Fort Worth area, with 3 to 5 inches possible farther north toward the Red River. Localized totals up to 6 inches cannot be ruled out across parts of Texoma.
The National Weather Service says the most hazardous travel conditions are likely from Friday night through Saturday night, with conditions improving gradually Sunday morning as precipitation tapers off from north to south.
Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, prepare for possible extended power outages, and monitor forecast updates as the winter storm unfolds.
