DFW area left largely unscathed by winter storm, some schools delayed

A winter storm that threatened North Texas with the prospect of icy roads left the Fort Worth area largely unscathed early Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Just trace amounts of wintry precipitation were recorded at DFW, Meacham and Alliance airports. Areas to the south and east of Dallas-Fort Worth saw the worst of Winter Storm Inga, as 1-2 inches of snow fell in Corsicana, Canton and Tyler.

But several area school districts announced closures or delays in anticipation of worse conditions. Fort Worth, Granbury, Mansfield and Aledo ISDs announced delayed start times for Tuesday classes, while Burleson and Cleburne will be closed Tuesday.

Grocery stores had been packed Monday as North Texans braced for a cold front that threatened to coat roadways with ice and snow and turn Tuesday morning’s commute into a game of bumper cars.

The Arctic blast arrived shortly after 3 p.m. and temperatures immediately began to drop. The National Weather Service had called for a chance of flurries before 7 a.m.

Tuesday should start out mostly cloudy and windy, gradually becoming sunny later with a high near 31. Wind chills are expected to be between 2 and 12 degrees. Winds will be out of the north at 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph Tuesday afternoon, with gusts up to 35 mph.

Tuesday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 13 and north winds at 5 to 15 mph. Wednesday should be a repeat but with less gusty winds.

Cold weather tips

Your home

• Open your cabinet doors under your sink so heat can circulate.
• Turn on a faucet, just barely, in the house to keep the water circulating.
• Keep your pets inside.
• Outside, unhook outdoor water hoses from faucets and wrap those faucets with store-bought covers or do it yourself with foam, rags or other material and secure it with string or tape.
• Potted plants and flowers should be brought inside.
• Use mulch and frost cloths or plant blankets to cover flower beds and vegetable gardens.

Be safe

• Never turn on ovens and leave the door open for heat.
• Electric space heaters are considered safer than portable heaters that are fueled by natural gas, propane or kerosene.
• Keep space heaters at least 36 inches away from any combustible material.
• If using a fuel-fired portable heater inside, leave a window partially open to allow fresh air into the house. It’s also smart to have a carbon monoxide monitor.

If you drive

• If you’ve got to travel, like to work, make sure your vehicle is in good shape.
• Windshield wipers should be fresh. Tires should have plenty of tread and your battery should be lively. Carry extra coats, gloves, boots and a candle if case you get stranded.
• Be extra careful when driving on bridges, overpasses, ramps and shaded areas — all of which tend to freeze first.
• If your vehicle begins to slide, slow down — without braking — and steer into the direction of the skid.
• Don’t tailgate. Instead of allowing 3-4 seconds of distance between you and the car ahead, make it 8-10 seconds.
• Our suggestion: The Trinity Railway Express commuter rail is a stress-free way to travel during icy conditions. Just make sure to dress warmly and wear shoes with good traction for your walk to and from the train station. For a schedule, go to www.trinityrailwayexpress.org

This article contains information from Star-Telegram archives.

This story was originally published January 15, 2018 at 4:52 PM with the headline "DFW area left largely unscathed by winter storm, some schools delayed."