Freezing drizzle, slick roads Saturday in DFW, ahead of possible 4-6 inches of snow
Biting cold air and blowing snow will drub Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, on Sunday and Monday and make travel dangerous, authorities said.
“The severity of the cold weather that is about to be experienced here in the coming days is unprecedented in Texas history,” Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday at a press conference in Austin.
Through Wednesday, low temperatures in Fort Worth will be in the single digits and teens and highs in the teens and 20s, according to the National Weather Service. Wind chills below zero are likely Sunday night through Tuesday morning and again on Thursday morning for areas west of Interstate 35.
Snow is forecast across much of the region on Sunday and Monday. Widespread accumulations of 3-7 inches are expected across North and Central Texas, the weather service said.
Slick roads and bridges were reported across North Texas Saturday morning after patchy freezing drizzle dampened surfaces and below-freezing temperatures created some ice.
MedStar responded to 20 crashes between 8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, spokesman Matt Zavadsky said. Seven people were taken to hospitals.
Freezing drizzle, similar to a “fine mist,” began after midnight in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and continued into the morning, according to Jason Dunn, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth. The precipitation may not look problematic but, with the frigid conditions, surfaces can become glazed over, he said.
On Sunday, the snow is expected to pick up in intensity after the sun sets, Dunn said, and continue at a heavy rate until the sun rises Monday morning.
Dunn advised people to avoid driving on Sunday and Monday if they can, noting that Monday is Washington’s Birthday, a holiday for many working people.
“If you don’t have to be out, don’t go out. Don’t take the chance,” Dunn said by phone on Saturday. “If you absolutely have to get out, you really need to be prepared if you’re going in your car. Travel could be life-threatening, meaning if you slip off in a ditch it could be several hours before somebody could come to get you.”
People getting out in their car would be wise to bring blankets and food, and dress in layers, Dunn said.
A winter storm warning is in effect for all of North Texas. Wind chills as low as -15 between late Sunday and early Monday could become life-threatening for people and pets. Strong winds coupled with the heavy snow could lead to near-white out conditions. That could make visibility difficult on the roads.
Abbott announced that he would request a federal emergency declaration from the White House to make additional resources available.
“Every part of the state will face freezing conditions over the coming days, and I urge all Texans to remain vigilant against the extremely harsh weather that is coming,” Abbott said. “Stay off the roads, take conscious steps to conserve energy, and avoid dangerous practices like bringing generators indoors or heating homes with ovens or stovetops.”
This story was originally published February 13, 2021 at 9:40 AM.
