Good Wednesday morning, North Texas!

We were watching the potential for widespread dense freezing fog early this morning, but fortunately that scenario did not fully materialize across most of the area. While a few locations did report patchy freezing fog, coverage was much more limited than originally anticipated. That significantly reduced concerns about additional glazing on elevated surfaces and widespread visibility issues. A Freezing Fog Advisory does remain in effect through 11 AM.

As we move through the afternoon, conditions will improve nicely. Expect plenty of sunshine, light winds, and afternoon highs climbing into the 40s across much of North Texas. That combination of sun angle and lighter winds should go a long way toward helping melt lingering ice, particularly on secondary roads, neighborhood streets, and shaded areas that have struggled to thaw over the past several days.

Tonight, temperatures will once again fall back below freezing. This won’t be a severe or prolonged hard freeze, but with many communities dropping to or just below the 32 degree mark, any moisture left on roadways could refreeze. That means patchy black ice will be possible for the Thursday morning commute, especially in areas that don’t fully dry out this afternoon. Drivers will want to remain cautious early Thursday.

Looking ahead, we’re continuing to track another Arctic cold front set to arrive Friday into Saturday. Behind that front, temperatures on Saturday will struggle to climb above freezing, making for another cold and brisk day across the region. The good news is that this appears to be a short lived shot of Arctic air. A moderating trend begins Sunday and continues into early next week, with afternoon highs returning to the 50s.

Our next meaningful rain chance is shaping up for late Tuesday into Wednesday. While it’s still too early to nail down timing and rainfall totals, confidence is increasing that we’ll see at least some beneficial rainfall. Depending on how the system evolves, a few thunderstorms may also be possible. We’ll continue refining those details as we get closer.

For now, enjoy the sunshine today – it will certainly help us recover from the recent stretch of bitter cold. -William