Wednesday forecast for Fort Worth & North Texas forecast: 8” snow possible near Red River
North Texas is bracing for its first winter storm of the season with a mix of ice, sleet and snow starting around sunrise Thursday. Travel could become treacherous starting tonight and into Friday. Multiple school districts are already announcing closings.
A winter storm warning is in effect for North Texas, including Fort Worth, ahead of the storm’s arrival around 6 a.m.
Here’s the latest on the forecast, storm preparations and what you should expect. Check back for updates. And stay safe, Fort Worth!
Possible bands of snow dropping up to 8 inches
The National Weather Service Fort Worth said this morning that a tenth of an inch of ice starting early Thursday, mixed with snow or a sleet mixture, could make roads dangerous. At least 120 flights scheduled Thursday out of DFW were already canceled as of this morning.
Currently, North Texas could receive 1 to 4 inches of snow and sleet on Thursday, the NWS said Wednesday afternoon. Ice totals are at a tenth of an inch, but some areas could see a quarter of an inch.
Counties around the Red River will have the highest concentration of snow, with expected totals around 2 to 5 inches. However, the NWS said heavier snowier bands are expected and could produce totals up to 8 inches in a narrow part of the region.
[MORE: Is this your first North Texas winter storm? What you should do right now.]
With frozen precipitation Thursday evening into the night, “more of this is likely to impact roads and travel during the overnight hours into early Friday morning when temperatures will be in the upper 20s,” forecasters said.
The winter storm warning is valid for the following counties: Tarrant, Dallas, Parker, Wise, Denton, Collin, Rockwall, Hunt, Hopkins, Delta, Lamar, Fannin, Grayson, Cooke, Rains, Van Zandt and Kaufman.
Cities in the warning area include Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton and Mineral Wells. Those areas could see an accumulation of 1 to 4 inches of snow, possibly higher, according to the NWS.
Several counties are also under a winter storm watch, including Ellis, Johnson, Hood, Somervell, Erath, Comanche, Eastland, Palo Pinto, Stephens, Young, Jack and Bowie.
There’s an increasing potential that a few isolated areas could exceed 8 inches of snowfall in intense snow bands, the NWS said. Those areas would be north and northeast of the Metroplex in counties near the Red River.
When will snow arrive in North Texas?
A wintry mix is expected to develop early Thursday and increase in coverage and intensity throughout the day.
Temperatures will increase marginally during the day on Thursday, to near or above freezing. Snowfall may become heavy at times across the Metroplex during the day and evening on Thursday.
Minor to moderate travel impacts are likely across much of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex all day Thursday and into Friday, according to the NWS. Morning commutes are expected to be fine, however, road conditions may deteriorate around midday and into the afternoon.
Anything that melts Thursday will likely refreeze that evening as overnight lows dip into the mid-20s. Travel will again be impacted on Friday, while wintry precipitation gradually ends.
Daily highs on Friday will be in the 40s, followed by freezing temperature that evening.
A cold Wednesday in North Texas
Ahead of the wintry precipitation, North Texans faced another chilly day on Wednesday.
Morning lows were in the mid-20s, warming up to the upper 30s to mid-40s for the day. Overnight lows on Wednesday will dip back into the mid to upper 20s, according to the NWS.
The weather system will exit the region by midday Friday, however, impacts could linger through early Saturday, Jan. 11. Temperatures will warm up Saturday into the 40s and 50s.
School/university closures and delays
We’re tracking Tarrant County school districts and college campuses that are announcing closures today as the threat of winter weather looms. Check here for the latest.
Will this storm strain the Texas power grid like in 2021?
For those living here four years ago, any chance of winter weather can bring back fears of blackouts, but grid conditions are projected to be sufficient over the coming days, according to ERCOT. Unlike the rest of the country, most of Texas is on its own power grid.
Travel out of DFW: Here’s what airports are saying.
Cancellations are already starting to pile up for scheduled flights Thursday. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field say that travelers should pay attention to the latest forecasts, give themselves extra time to get to the airport and check for flight updates from their airline. Here’s how the airports are preparing for what’s likely to be a mess starting Thursday.
Will North Texas grocery stores close Thursday for snow?
As Texans prepare for the weather, some of the area’s largest grocery chains have seen an increase in demand for staple items, like bottled water, milk, eggs, cereal, bread, peanut butter and paper goods.
Kroger stores have been receiving extra shipments of those items this week. So have H-E-B and Central Markets. Those stores, as well as Tom Thumbs, Albertsons and Walmarts, plan to maintain normal hours. Read more.
This story was originally published January 8, 2025 at 7:24 AM.
