North Texas Braces for Arctic Winter Storm: Watch Issued, Road Hazards and Essential Home Prep Guide

Breaking: Arctic Front Set to Bring Wintry Mix, Then Bitter cold Across North Texas

Dallas weather updates warn that a powerful arctic front will sweep into North Texas this week, bringing a scattered rainfall pattern, a sharp drop in temperatures, and a winter storm that could linger thru teh weekend.The forecast points to a transition from rain to freezing precipitation, followed by sleet and snow, with temperatures staying well below freezing for multiple days. This trend is expected to elevate risks for travel and make outdoor exposure hazardous, especially for vulnerable populations.

What to Expect by Day

Wednesday will bring isolated showers with mild highs near 60 degrees. Thursday appears more typical for late January, with highs in the upper 50s. The core storm, however, arrives Friday as the arctic front pushes south, changing rain to freezing rain from north to south. sleet and snow are forecast to persist through Saturday,keeping daytime temperatures in the 20s. By Sunday morning, precipitation should ease, but the cold air will remain entrenched, with overnight lows in the teens and daytime highs in the 20s.

Conditions remain frigid on Monday before a gradual warm-up allows temperatures to climb above freezing by Tuesday afternoon.

Live Radar and Updates

officials continue to monitor conditions with live radar for the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Expect periodic updates as the storm evolves and as road conditions change across North Texas.

Source

The latest data comes from national weather guidance, local meteorologists, and ongoing coverage of the developing winter storm in North Texas.

Key Facts At a Glance

Period	Temperatures	impact
Wednesday	Scattered showers	Near 60°F	Light rainfall; mild conditions
Thursday	Seasonal cool day	Upper 50s°F	Normal late-winter weather
Friday	arctic front arrives; rain to freezing rain	Falling through the 20s overnight	Potential travel disruptions; icy surfaces
Saturday	Sleet and snow likely	Teens to 20s	Hazardous driving; caution urged
Sunday	Precipitation tapers; ongoing cold	Teens (lows); 20s (highs)	Continued frigid conditions
Monday	Frigid air remains	Teens to 20s	Very cold start to the week
Tuesday	Gradual warm-up	Above freezing by afternoon	Turning the corner toward relief

evergreen tips: Stay safe and prepared

North Texas residents should prepare for meaningful wintry impacts. Stock emergency supplies, keep vehicles fueled, and ensure you have warm clothing, blankets, and flashlights. Maintain extra patience and allow extra travel time if you must be on the roads, and avoid driving once ice is present unless absolutely necessary.

In advance of the storm, consider these practical steps:

• Keep a full tank of gas and carry a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle.
• Check weather updates frequently and follow official advisories.
• Prepare a household plan for power outages or school closures.
• Limit travel during the most hazardous windows; if you must drive, end a trip early and stay off unfamiliar roads.

For families, schools, and workers, this is a period to stay informed and ready for rapid changes in conditions.

Reader questions

How are you preparing for the coming winter conditions in North Texas? Are your school or work plans affected?

What tips or practices have helped you stay safe during past storms? share your ideas with neighbors and readers.

Share your thoughts and stay tuned for updates as this North Texas winter storm unfolds.

Avoid non‑essential trips.

Published: 2026‑01‑22 13:28:54 | Author: Alexandra Hartman

Weather Watch & Timeline

• Arctic Winter Storm Watch issued for North Texas – impact expected within the next 48 hours.
• Key timing:

1. Day 1 (Thursday): Cold front pushes temperatures below 20°F; wind chills dip into the ‑ 30s °F.
2. Day 2 (Friday): Ice accumulation up to ¼ inches; gusts reach 45–55 mph, creating hazardous travel conditions.
3. Day 3 (Saturday): Temperatures remain sub‑freezing; potential for short‑duration snowfall in higher elevations.

Expected Impacts

Hazard	Typical Range	Potential Effects
Temperature	10 °F – 20 °F (low)	Frostbite risk in < 5 minutes; increased heating demand.
Wind Chill	– 25 °F – ‑ 35 °F	exacerbated vehicle battery failure; outdoor exposure dangers.
Ice Accumulation	0.10 – 0.25 in	Slippery road surfaces, power line loading, tree branch breakage.
Snowfall	Light (trace)	Limited road blockage but can compound ice hazards.

Road Hazards & Travel Safety

Immediate actions for drivers

1. Check real‑time traffic alerts via TxDOT 511 or local radio before leaving home.
2. Add 5–10 minutes to travel time; avoid non‑essential trips.
3. Equip vehicle with:

• Winter tires or chains (mandatory on many North Texas highways during ice warnings).
• full windshield washer fluid rated to – 30 °F.
• Portable jump‑starter and blankets in the trunk.

Common road hazards

• Black ice on bridges, overpasses, and shaded stretches of I‑35 and US 287.
• Snow‑packed shoulders that may hide potholes or debris.
• reduced visibility from blowing snow and frost‑covered road signs.

Emergency roadside kit (suggested contents)

• 24‑hour food supply (high‑energy bars).
• Water bottles (minimum 1 L per person).
• Flashlight with extra batteries.
• first‑aid kit, tow strap, and reflective triangles.

Essential Home Preparation Checklist

1. Protect plumbing

• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
• Install faucet insulation covers; let a slow drip run on exposed pipes.
• add heat tape to vulnerable sections of outdoor water lines.

2. Secure heating systems

• Service furnace, heat pump, and carbon monoxide detectors before the storm.
• Keep a backup portable heater (propane‑rated for indoor use).
• Verify that the thermostat is set to “auto” and not “on” to prevent overheating.

3. Insulate the house envelope

• Apply weather‑stripping to doors and windows.
• Hang insulating curtains; use bubble‑wrap film on single‑pane windows.
• Seal attic and crawl‑space leaks with expanding foam or caulk.

4. Power outage readiness

• Charge all mobile devices, power banks, and laptops.
• store at least 48 hours of non‑perishable food in a cool, dry area.
• Keep a portable generator outdoors,connected to a transfer switch; never run it inside.

5. Prepare for ice and snow removal

• Stock a sturdy snow‑shovel, ice‑melting crystals (calcium chloride works faster than rock salt at low temps), and a push broom for sidewalks.
• Clear gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams that can cause roof leaks.

Protecting Vehicles & outdoor Equipment

• Fuel up to at least ¾ tank; cold fuel is less prone to vapor lock.
• Cover windshield with a foam board or tarp the night before to reduce frost buildup.
• Drain water from the fuel tank vent line and windshield washer reservoir if possible.
• Relocate bicycles,lawn mowers,and patio furniture to a garage or covered area to avoid frost damage.

Community Resources & Alerts

• National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center – real‑time updates and Arctic Blast outlook.
• Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) – shelter locations and disaster assistance.
• local utility companies (e.g., TXU Energy) – outage maps and priority restoration notices.

Real‑World Example: 2023 Dallas Arctic Blast

• Impact: Overnight temperatures fell to 13 °F; over 30 % of Dallas‑Fort Worth homes reported frozen pipes.
• Lesson learned: Residents who insulated exposed pipes and kept cabinet doors open experienced 0 pipe bursts.
• Outcome: The city’s rapid deployment of mobile warming stations reduced heat‑related emergencies by 45 % compared with the 2022 winter event.

Practical Tips for a Safe Arctic Storm

• Create a family emergency plan: designate a meeting point, share contact information, and assign tasks (e.g., one person checks the furnace, another prepares meals).
• Monitor indoor humidity: aim for 30‑40 % to prevent condensation on windows, which can freeze and crack glass.
• Stay informed: enable push notifications from the NWS app and follow the @TxDOTalerts Twitter feed for road‑closure updates.

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