Texas Winter Storm: Ice, Snow, and Power Outage Risks Across the State

Statewide Winter Storm Overview

• ⚠️ A significant winter storm is impacting Texas from Friday afternoon through Monday morning, bringing a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow.
• ❄️ Hazardous travel conditions are expected across the entire state due to ice accumulation on roads, bridges, and overpasses.
• 🥶 Arctic air will follow the storm, leading to prolonged periods of sub-freezing temperatures, with wind chills potentially reaching single digits.

North Texas Impacts

• 🧊 Freezing rain and sleet are anticipated from late Friday night through Saturday, with potential for 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice accumulation.
• 🌨️ Snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with higher amounts near the Red River.
• ⚡ Power outages are a concern due to ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs.
• ⏳ Road conditions are expected to remain hazardous until at least Tuesday afternoon.

Central Texas and Austin Area Forecast

• 💧 Rain is expected Friday, transitioning to a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet by Saturday evening.
• 🧊 Ice accumulation is forecast to be around a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with isolated pockets up to a half inch.
• 🥶 Hard freeze conditions are expected Sunday morning, with temperatures in the teens and wind chills in the single digits.

Houston and Southeast Texas Outlook

• 🌧️ Saturday will be rainy and cold, but above freezing for Houston and Galveston.
• 🥶 Freezing rain and an icy mix are expected Saturday night into Sunday morning, particularly north and west of the Houston metroplex.
• ⚠️ While widespread power outages are not currently modeled for Houston, isolated outages are possible, with significant risk if ice accumulation exceeds a quarter inch.
• 📉 Wind chills on Sunday morning could be in the teens, dropping to single digits by Monday morning.

San Antonio and South Texas Projections

• 💧 A cold rain is expected Saturday, changing to freezing drizzle or sleet by Saturday night.
• 🧊 Light ice accumulation is possible, primarily north of I-10, with a chance of freezing rain Sunday morning.
• 🥶 Hard freeze conditions are likely Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, with Monday morning being the coldest, potentially near record lows.
• 🌬️ Wind chills on Sunday morning could be as low as 10-12 degrees.

East Texas and West Texas (Midland/Odessa) Forecast

• 🧊 East Texas faces a devastating ice storm potential with 3/4 to an inch of freezing rain accumulation, leading to considerable disruptions and widespread power outages.
• ❄️ Midland and Odessa could see 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation, with significant ice accumulation also possible.
• 🥶 Extreme cold warnings are in effect for parts of East Texas, with prolonged periods below freezing and dangerously low wind chills.
• ⚠️ Travel is strongly discouraged due to low visibility, slick roads, and potential for significant ice and snow accumulation.

General Preparedness and Safety

• 🏠 Residents are urged to prepare for the storm by winterizing homes and securing outdoor items.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Remember the four Ps: people, pets, pipes, and plants, and take necessary precautions to protect them.
• 🚗 Limit travel during the storm and its aftermath due to dangerous road conditions and extreme cold.