North Texas warms up this weekend; roads improve but officials urge drivers to be cautious
Temperatures climbed above freezing Friday and the sun is expected to make its way out by Sunday after two days of winter weather in North Texas, but residents are advised to remain alert to possible early morning icy roads that have caused dozens of accidents throughout the week.
Friday was slightly warmer than what the Dallas-Fort Worth area saw Wednesday and Thursday, with a high around 40, which helped with road conditions, the National Weather Service said. Roads on Saturday morning may still be dangerous to drive on despite the warmer temperatures, especially overpasses and other elevated surfaces.
“Motorists should be mindful of re-freezing on area roads,” the weather service said. “A damp and chilly weekend is then in store, with a slight chance of more wintry precipitation. Little to no accumulations are expected with the weekend winter mix.”
Saturday’s forecast includes a slight chance of rain, freezing rain and sleet before 8 a.m., then rain is likely. It will be cloudy, with a high near 41. The chance of precipitation is 60%, but little or no ice and sleet accumulation is expected.
According to TxDOT on Friday morning, most hazardous road conditions were located north and east of Fort Worth, especially toward Dallas and its northern suburbs.
But Kenna Mitchell, a spokesperson for TxDOT Dallas, said there was good news of clearing roads on highways and interstates Friday and that traffic should resume to normal throughout the day.
Throughout the winter storm warning, between Wednesday until Thursday around noon, MedStar had responded to 86 motor vehicle accidents in the region.
Police stations around the Metroplex were urging residents to remain home unless travel was necessary. A crash in Roanoke left two officers injured after an 18-wheeler flipped and split due to the road conditions Thursday morning.
A diesel truck accident left all lanes of northbound I-35W near I-820 closed late Thursday night and early Friday morning, TxDOT Fort Worth said. No injuries were reported, but about 50 gallons of diesel spilled on the freeway.
This story was originally published February 25, 2022 at 5:40 AM.
