Texas on Ice Alert: Arctic Blast Poised to Bring Big Freeze
National Weather Service issues extreme weather warning this weekend
Brrrr! Time to get out the extreme winter wear, as Texas prepares for an icy weekend with the possibility of a severe snowstorm, according to the National Weather Service.
The NWS in Fort Worth/Dallas (see their graphic above) predicts that a significant intrusion of Arctic air and impactful wintry snowfall will affect all of North and Central Texas from Friday afternoon/evening through Sunday.
The weather service warned that this would impact travel and infrastructure across all of North and Central Texas, from Wichita Falls west to Lubbock and Amarillo, due to a combination of freezing rain/ice as well as sleet and snow, with temperatures remaining below freezing for an extended period.
Gov. Greg Abbott has put the National Guard and state agencies on high alert as the arctic blast brings snow, ice, and freezing rain to Texas.
According to the weather services, a Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for the entirety of North and Central Texas, starting Friday afternoon and continuing through Sunday morning.
Plan for travel impacts and power outages, and monitor forecasts in the coming days for up-to-date information.
The weather service has warned that roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely be affected. Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause power outages. Extreme cold will become life-threatening and likely damage unprotected pipes, putting livestock at risk.
Officials in North and Central Texas, which have the highest chances of snow and sleet, have already issued winter storm watches ahead of the storm. Other areas are also under a winter storm watch, including Houston.
By Sunday morning, the winter storm is expected to reach Texas’ southern tip, said the weather service.
In 2023, Texas suffered what has been described as the worst winter storm in 30 years, with seven fatalities and widespread destruction, including the loss of power, affecting some 350 000 citizens.
Seven counties were declared a disaster area by the Governor.