Good Saturday Morning, North Texas!
A significant winter storm is underway across the region as an arctic front continues to push south through North Texas. The front moved into the area overnight, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures that will continue through the day. High temperatures this afternoon will struggle to rise, remaining mostly in the 20s across much of North Texas.
The first wave of winter precipitation moved through overnight and into the early morning hours, producing a mix of sleet, freezing rain, and snow. This initial round will gradually taper off through the early afternoon, allowing for a brief lull in activity.
However, a second and more impactful wave of precipitation is expected later today. Wave 2 will arrive this afternoon and continue through the evening and overnight hours, bringing another round of sleet, freezing rain, and snow to the region. Precipitation will slowly diminish early Sunday morning, though there may be a final burst of snow as the storm system pulls away.
Winter precipitation totals are expected to be impressive across the region. While the DFW Metroplex should see only a light glaze of ice, southeastern counties could receive between a quarter and a half inch of ice accumulation. That amount would meet ice storm criteria and could lead to power outages and downed tree limbs in those areas.
For much of North Texas, sleet will be the dominant form of winter precipitation. Accumulating sleet is expected to create hazardous travel conditions, with totals ranging from 1 to as much as 4 inches possible in the Metroplex.
Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills will persist, with an Extreme Cold Warning in effect across North Texas. The DFW Metroplex is expected to remain below freezing through at least mid-afternoon Tuesday, making this a prolonged, multi-day stretch of subfreezing conditions.
The coldest period of the storm will occur Sunday night into Monday morning, when lows across much of North Texas fall into the single digits. Some locations near the Red River could even drop below zero. Record low temperatures are expected in the DFW Metroplex during this time.
The best recommendation is to limit travel, take precautions to protect pipes, pets, and plants, and remain indoors and warm whenever possible.