After weeks of above average temperatures, North Texas is forecast to see a harsh glimpse of strong winter weather beginning Wednesday, with temperatures expected to drop into the low teens and a high likelihood for snow and sleet in the Fort Worth area.

Although Tuesday’s high was around 70 degrees, after Wednesday night the temperature isn’t expected to rise much above 30 degrees until Saturday with wind chills as low as minus-5 degrees according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

Wednesday night into Thursday are expected to be the coldest days of the week, and the season, so far, as Tarrant County and much of North Texas is placed under a Winter Storm Warning from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service upgraded the warning from a watch around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The warning starts at 3 p.m. Wednesday for some western counties in the region, including Wise, Parker, Eastland, Jack, Stephens, Palo Pinto, Cooke and Young Counties.

“Big changes are on the way Wednesday as a strong winter system brings arctic air into the state. Rain will transition to mainly freezing rain and sleet late Wednesday and early Thursday,” the National Weather Service said. “Travel conditions will likely deteriorate late Wednesday with impacts possible through Friday. Temperatures are not likely to rise above freezing in most areas on Thursday. Partial melting is expected Friday afternoon, with better melting likely on Saturday. Prepare for potential impacts and continue to monitor your local forecast.”

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Addressing fears of a repeat of last year’s Texas freeze, the weather service said this storm will be different, and more dangerous, in terms of travel, but “temps will not be as cold and [will] rise above freezing much sooner.”

“Hazardous travel is likely and travel is discouraged. Expect icy bridges and roadways. Gusty winds may also bring down tree branches and cause power disruptions,” the weather service said. “Take actions now to prepare before impacts arrive.”

Rain and isolated thunderstorms will hit Wednesday evening before developing into freezing rain and sleet Wednesday night into early Thursday. Later Thursday morning, the precipitation is expected to turn into snow, which may continue throughout the day.

By Friday morning, residents may experience a wind chill that will drop temperatures to feel like it’s 10 degrees below zero to 10 degrees.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is expected to experience ice-covered roads and power outages thanks to heavy mixed precipitation. In North Texas, residents may see up to 3 inches of snow accumulation with a third of an inch of ice accumulation. Winds may gust up to 35 mph.

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“Prepare your home by wrapping your outdoor plumbing, getting rock salt and shovels for driveways and sidewalks. Stock up on non-perishable food and/or food that can be cooked without electricity,” the weather service said. “Get bottles of water or fill a bathtub with potable water as well as a first-aid kit. Drip your faucets during the freeze. Prepare for a power outage with fire wood, batteries, flashlights, etc. Do not use candles as your primary light source. Prepare your vehicle with a full tank of gas, an extra charger, ice scrapers, and blankets in case you are stranded.”

This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 7:05 AM.

Jessika Harkay

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Jessika Harkay was a breaking news reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram until 2022. Jessika is a Baylor graduate who previously worked as a breaking news reporter at the Hartford Courant and interned at the New York Daily News.