DFW Winter Storm Forecast: Pete Delkus on Freezing Rain, Sleet, Snow, and Extreme Cold

Winter Storm Alert and Precipitation Timeline

• ⚠️ A WFAA Weather Alert Day is in effect from now through Monday morning for the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area.
• 🌧️ The event begins with cold rain, transitioning to freezing rain, then sleet, and potentially some snow.
• ⏰ The transition to wintry precipitation will occur between 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM for the Metroplex, and later for areas to the southeast.
• ❄️ Snow showers and flurries are expected Sunday morning, clearing out before noon.

Ice and Snow Accumulation Estimates

• 🧊 The Metroplex can expect a glaze or coating of ice, with some areas potentially seeing up to a quarter to half an inch.
• 🌨️ East Texas is forecast to receive the most ice, between half an inch to three-quarters of an inch, leading to an Ice Storm Warning.
• 🥶 Sleet accumulation is expected to be significant, with 3 to 5 inches possible along the Red River and 1 to 3 inches in the Metroplex.

Extreme Cold and Wind Chill

• 🌡️ Temperatures will drop significantly, with DFW Airport expected to hit freezing by midnight tonight.
• 🥶 Wind chills are predicted to be dangerously cold, ranging from 5 to 10 degrees below zero from Saturday evening through Monday morning.
• 📉 Monday's high temperature is only expected to reach 30 degrees, and Tuesday's high will be 41 degrees, with temperatures not reaching freezing until 11:00 AM.
• ⏳ The DFW area is projected to be at or below freezing for approximately 83 hours.

Potential Impacts and Preparedness

• ⚡ Power outages are a possibility due to ice weighing down power lines and tree branches.
• 🏠 Residents are advised to prepare by protecting people, pets, pipes, and plants.
• 📈 While the 83 hours below freezing is significant, it is not a record, unlike the 139 consecutive hours experienced five years ago.

Extended Forecast Outlook

• ☀️ After the winter storm, drier and sunnier conditions are expected for the following weekend, with highs in the 30s and 40s.
• 🌱 A significant warm-up is anticipated by early February, with temperatures reaching the 50s and potentially approaching 60 degrees by the end of the 14-day forecast.
• 🌨️ A slight possibility of snow showers exists for Friday of next week, though models are less consistent on this system.