DFW Winter Storm Forecast: Freezing Rain, Sleet, Snow, and Extreme Cold Expected

Winter Storm Watch and Extreme Cold

• ⚠️ A winter storm watch is in effect for all of North Texas from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning, bringing freezing rain, sleet, and snow.
• 🥶 An extreme cold watch is also in effect from Saturday evening through Monday morning, with windchills expected to be below zero.
• ❄️ Accumulations of ice, sleet, and snow are likely, with potential for several inches of mixed precipitation.

Road Conditions and Travel Impacts

• 🚗 Bridges and overpasses are identified as potential trouble spots for freezing and power outages.
• 🏠 Residents are advised to get to a safe location and avoid driving once the precipitation begins.
• 🏫 There is a high confidence that school will be cancelled on Monday morning due to the extreme cold and lingering precipitation.

Duration and Comparison to Past Events

• ⏳ The region is expected to be at or below freezing for approximately 65 hours, starting Friday night.
• 🧊 This event is projected to be about half the duration of the 2021 winter storm, which lasted 139 hours below freezing.
• 📉 The current forecast aims to avoid the widespread outages experienced in the February 2021 event.

Temperature Outlook

• 🌡️ Temperatures will plummet, with highs only reaching the 20s on Saturday and Sunday.
• 📉 Monday's high is forecast to be 33 degrees, with temperatures remaining in the 40s and 50s in the following week.
• 💨 A quick but significant blast of Arctic air is expected.

Ground Temperatures and Initial Freezing

• 🌱 Ground temperatures are currently in the 50s and 60s, which will delay immediate freezing once precipitation begins Friday.
• 💧 However, once temperatures drop below freezing, the frozen precipitation will not dissipate until Monday afternoon.