Winter storm creates icy conditions, dangerous roads, power outages in North Texas
Roads, trees and power lines have begun to ice in North Texas as a winter storm that prompted a warning from the National Weather Service settles into the region.
Icy roads and bridges could create hazardous driving conditions, while tree limbs that could break and fall on power lines increase the risk of outages, according to the National Weather Service. More than 24,000 North Texans were without power Wednesday before midnight.
North Texas is under a winter weather warning until 6 p.m. Thursday, but icy conditions may not begin to improve until Friday or later in the weekend.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth recommends residents stay off roads unless it’s absolutely necessary and to be cautious when driving. Leave faucets dripping and cabinet doors open to prevent freezing and bursting pipes, and keep an eye on any fires and gas appliances.
Most schools in the region, including colleges and universities, announced they will be closed at least Thursday, and some through Friday. Cities, businesses and other services also announced closures due to the weather.
At midnight Thursday, freezing rain and sleet blanketed North Texas with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees. The wintry mix was expected to continue into the morning before transitioning to snow by 10 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Wind chills were expected to drop to between 7 and 12 as temperatures remain steady in the low to mid 20s throughout the day Thursday.
Snow accumulations are expected between 1-3 inches in Tarrant County, with higher amounts possible in surrounding North Texas counties, the weather service said.
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The temperature might not climb above freezing until Saturday, with a forecast high of 30 on Friday before dropping to about 12 Saturday morning, according to the weather service.
However, sunny conditions will prevail all weekend with highs expected in the upper 30s Saturday and lower 40s Sunday.
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 11:59 PM.