Friday updates: Thundersleet, dangerous ice and -15 wind chills in Fort Worth
The massive Arctic cold front has started moving into Texas this afternoon, and conditions will deteriorate rapidly tonight. By 6 p.m., the “freeze line” will move into the northwestern edge of the Metroplex, where temps will start dipping below 32 degrees.
The latest forecast for North Texas shows total accumulations of 1 to 5 inches of sleet and snow between Saturday and Sunday. But first, we’ll have freezing rain starting around midnight, with up to a half-inch on surfaces.
Schools and colleges have started announcing closings and cancellations. The region is bracing for power outages as well as dangerous wind chills into Sunday night. Grocery stores are reminding shoppers that it isn’t the end of the world, so you don’t need weeks worth of food. Most flights at DFW are canceled Saturday, and there’s a real possibility that some kids may not have school Monday.
🔸Winter storm’s arrival: The “freeze line” from the approaching Arctic cold front should start entering the northwestern edge of the Metroplex around 6 p.m. After midnight in Fort Worth, as rain transitions to freezing rain with some sleet.
🔸How bad will it get: By Saturday evening, most of North Texas will have at least “moderate traffic impacts” due to ice accumulations and sleet. Some areas will see snow into Sunday. Total ice accumulation: 1/4” to 1/2”, which will snap trees and likely start causing power outages into the afternoon. Total sleet/snow: 1-3” for Fort Worth; 3-5” to the north.
🔸How cold will it be: We’ll be below freezing from late tonight through Monday (possibly Tuesday). The low Saturday night in Fort Worth will be 13 degrees with a wind chill of -1. On Sunday night, it’ll drop to 6 degrees with wind chills as cold as -4 to -12. Keep your faucets dripping into Tuesday to keep your pipes from freezing.
🔸Grocery stores say they’re restocking: Shoppers had a hard time finding meat, milk and other essentials this week. Kroger, Tom Thumb, Albertsons and H-E-B say they’re focusing on restocking food. More: Grocer urges you to ‘leave a little something behind for your neighbor.’
Check back for more updates all day.
H-E-B changes hours on Saturday
Posted 6:12 p.m.
H-E-B’s stores in the DFW market will now open at 8 a.m. Saturday, including Alliance, Mansfield, Cleburne, Granbury, Burleson and Hudson Oaks.
-15 wind chill in Fort Worth
Posted 6 p.m.
The coldest night during this four-day stretch of winter misery will be Sunday night into Monday. The skies will start to clear, but you do not want to be outside. Temperatures will be in the single digits — around 6 in central Fort Worth — with gusty winds making it feel like -5 to -15. Monday’s now looking to remain below freezing with a high around 28 degrees. Here’s a more detailed look at what to expect Friday night through Tuesday. — Matt Leclercq
‘Freeze line’ creeps toward Metroplex
Posted 4:12 p.m.
Temperatures on the northwestern edge of the Metroplex should start dipping below 32 degrees around 6 p.m., the National Weather Service says. The map above is tracking the “freeze line.”
In far north Fort Worth, it’s already blustery now, in the high 30s with light rain. —Matt Leclercq
Most Tarrant County voting locations remain open
Posted 3:50 p.m.
Tarrant County Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig said the county plans to keep early voting locations open over the weekend, though the individual sites may be closed by the owners. On Friday, the county announced that the Bedford Public Library, the Handley-Meadowbrook Community Center and the Como Community Center are closed Saturday and Sunday and the Tarrant County College Northwest Campus is closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The county will post information about closures on its website or Facebook page. Republican Leigh Wambsganss and Democrat Taylor Rehmet are vying to represent much of Tarrant County in the runoff for state Senate District 9. Over 24,000 voters cast their ballots in the first two days of the early voting period, according to Tarrant County Elections Administration. In contrast, about 12,000 showed up for the first two days back in November. — Rachel Royster.
Some school districts, colleges cancel Monday classes
Posted 3:41 p.m.
TCU has canceled weekend classes and activities, and Tarrant County College and several K-12 school districts have canceled classes for Monday. Find our complete list of closings and delays here for Tarrant County K-12 school districts and colleges. This list will be updated as more information becomes available. — Amy McDaniel
‘Thundersleet’ is possible Friday night in Fort Worth
Posted 2:30 p.m.
The Arctic cold front has crossed the northern Texas border as of 2 p.m. and is moving closer to the Metroplex. Temperatures are falling into the upper 30s immediately behind the front, the National Weather Service says. The freezing rain line will reach Dallas-Fort Worth around 10 p.m. to midnight. The weather service says ice accumulations will begin “fairly quickly” on elevated surfaces tonight into Saturday.
“As the shallow cold air near the surface deepens with time overnight into Saturday, freezing rain will transition to sleet as the predominate precipitation type across North Texas.” Models indicate a few thunderstorms could develop at times, especially tonight into Saturday morning, which could lead to “thundersleet” or thunder-freezing rain. — Matt Leclercq
Updated accumulation amounts for Fort Worth
Posted 1 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth posted a midday update saying there are “no major changes with snow & ice accumulations for this weekend.”
“Significant ice in the region will bring a threat for power outages, some potentially long lasting, in addition to tree damage & dangerous travel! Sleet/snow will be highest along the Red River.”
A map showing projected accumulations appears to shift toward slightly lower amounts of ice, sleet and snow for Fort Worth. We’re still in the shaded areas for one-quarter to one-half inch of ice, and 1-3 inches of sleet and/or snow, but it appears we aren’t as deep in those shades as we were this morning. — Matt Leclercq
Frigid weather is going to stick around
Posted 12:45 p.m.
The worst of the ice and freezing temperatures might be behind us by Tuesday, but the cold weather is expected to linger a while longer due to a shift in the polar vortex core. According to analysts with Severe Weather Europe, a high pressure area in the middle stratosphere will push against the polar vortex at the North Pole, forcing the vortex core south. At the same time, two high pressure areas in the lower stratosphere, one to the east and one to the west, could split the polar vortex in two. One of those would be pushed toward Europe and the other toward the U.S. As a result, colder air is expected to envelop most of the U.S. next week. — Matt Adams
Freezing rain caused the deadly Fort Worth pileup in 2021
Posted 12:30 p.m.
It was nearly five years ago that a massive pileup involving 130 cars and trucks on Interstate 35W in Fort Worth killed six people and injured dozens more. That early morning disaster on Feb. 11, 2021, was caused by a thin sheet of ice on southbound toll lanes just north of downtown.
A year later, we interviewed some of the emergency workers who responded to the mangled wreckage that spanned more than 1,000 feet and took hours to clear of victims. Many of them were still working through the trauma of the pileup as well as the Great Texas Freeze that followed. The stories about the lives lost were so tragic.
It’s important to remember how quickly road conditions can change. If you don’t have to drive tonight or this weekend, stay home. — Matt Leclercq
Fort Worth Zoo protects animals
Posted 11:10 a.m.
Preparations were in full swing at the Fort Worth Zoo on Thursday and Friday to keep the animals safe and warm during the upcoming winter storm.
Zookeepers are adding nesting material to bird houses, stocking barns with extra hay and collecting enrichment items for the animals to use indoors, spokesperson Avery Elander told the Star-Telegram. Some of the animals that live in outdoor habitats, including the critically endangered Pan’s Box Turtle, have been moved inside. — Harriet Ramos
Rain ... finally!
Posted 10:10 a.m.
Fort Worth is getting its first substantial rainfall in weeks today, which our region needs. By evening, we should log up to half an inch of rain before it turns into ice overnight. Tarrant County is under abnormally dry conditions, according to the Texas Drought Monitor. — Matt Leclercq
Localized power outages
Posted 10 a.m.
About 4,400 Oncor customers in Tarrant County were experiencing power outages as of about 10 a.m. Friday, likely due to downed powers lines caused by car crashes or other issues not related to the weather. Oncor estimates an outage near downtown will be fixed by around 11:30 a.m. Check the status of outages or report an outage online at stormcenter.oncor.com.
To report an Oncor power outage by phone, call 888-313-4747, text OUT to 66267 (ONCOR) or use the MyOncor App. Call 911 if you see downed power lines. — Amy McDaniel
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Posted 8:30 a.m.
Despite the storm, the Stock Show & Rodeo is continuing as planned this weekend. The FWSSR says it’s working to remove ice from streets and sidewalks and is “committed to public safety and ensuring the safety and well-being of livestock, guests and participants.”
“Due to the nature of our event and the coordination required across multiple pre-booked venues, including the Will Rogers Memorial Center and Dickies Arena, as well as the scheduled PRORODEO Tournament, we are unable to reschedule performances or competitions.” There are no refunds or exchanges for rodeo tickets. "Guests are encouraged to plan accordingly and allow additional travel time.” — Brayden Garcia
Schools are open today; Monday? We’ll see
Posted 7:30 a.m.
With the arrival of freezing rain not until late tonight, Fort Worth-area schools are operating under normal schedules today, though many have canceled or postponed after-school sports and events. The real question will be what happens Monday morning, when the entire region may be coated in ice, sleet and snow. It won’t get above freezing until Monday, and just barely at that. We’re keeping our closings/delays list updated. — Matt Leclercq
DFW flight cancellations are piling up
Posted 7:15 a.m.
Nearly two-thirds of scheduled flights Saturday out of Dallas-Fort Worth airport are already canceled, according to FlightAware. At Dallas Love Field, about half are canceled. Only a few Friday flights out of DFW are canceled, but about 10% of incoming flights aren’t happening today.
The massive winter storm across half the U.S. will cause major travel disruptions likely into next week. So far, Fort Worth-based American Airlines has canceled more than 500 flights Saturday across its network, and Dallas-based Southwest has canceled more than 230. Here’s what to do if your flight is canceled or you want to reschedule. — Ella Gonzales
Fort Worth trash pickup
Posted 7 a.m.
As of Friday, the city says there are no planned disruptions to residential garbage pickup. Garbage drop-off locations, however, are likely to be closed, as will city animal shelters, though nothing had been finalized as of Thursday afternoon. If you see an animal out in the cold, call the city at 817-392-1234. — Matt Adams
Here’s the latest Fort Worth weather forecast
Posted 5:45 a.m.
- Today: Rain, up to a half inch. High of 51 degrees by 11 a.m.
- Tonight: Rain, possibly mixed with sleet before midnight, then rain showers, freezing rain and sleet between midnight and 3 am, then freezing rain and sleet after 3 am. Low around 27. Wind chill values between 19 and 24. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
- Saturday: Sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain. Temperature falling to around 23 by 5 pm. Wind chill between 11 and 18. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 of an inch possible. New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
- Saturday Night: Sleet, possibly freezing rain before midnight, then sleet, possibly mixed with snow showers and freezing rain between midnight and 3 am, then snow showers and sleet after 3 am. The sleet could be heavy at times. Low around 13. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Sunday: A chance of snow showers and sleet before noon. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 22. North northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 6. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 31. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon
Will the power go out this weekend in Texas?
Posted 5:15 a.m.
Fort Worth officials warned people to prepare for the worst. The Texas power grid is expected to be able to handle the increased load this weekend, but ice accumulations could snap power lines.
“Ice accumulation on lines and trees is going to be the most impactful to the grid, and based on the weather forecast we’ve seen, the Metroplex is where that’s going to really be centered,” said Thomas Gleeson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Kerri Dunn, an Oncor spokesperson, said the company has invested in removing vegetation from around above-ground power lines to reduce the odds of them breaking during an ice storm. Still, Dunn said ice is a concern, and living in an area with underground power lines doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t experience a service disruption.
Check the status of outages or report an outage online at stormcenter.oncor.com. To report an Oncor power outage by phone, call 888-313-4747, text OUT to 66267 (ONCOR), or use the MyOncor App. Call 911 if you see downed power lines. — Matt Adams
Interstate toll lanes will close today
Posted 5 a.m.
TEXPress toll lanes in North Texas will close starting Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. The decision was made in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation. “We will continue to monitor weather conditions as the winter storm moves through North Texas, and implement our winter maintenance operations towards safely re-opening the roadways.” — Eleanor Dearman
Grocery stores will stay open as long as they can
Posted 4:55 a.m.
H-E-B, Kroger, Walmart and other major grocers in North Texas say they’ll operate on normal schedules into the weekend, but that could change depending on local conditions. Nonetheless, many North Texans won’t have to run out to the store during the winter storm; grocers have been swamped with people this week who have cleared out the meat, eggs, bread and other storm staples. We’re monitoring Fort Worth grocery stores to watch for closures. — Ella Gonzales
How to prevent your pipes from bursting
When it’s below freezing for several days, and especially when it drops below 10 degrees, you’re at risk of your pipes freezing and bursting. You do NOT want that to happen.
- Keep your indoor faucets dripping.
- Insulate exposed pipes outside the house. Hardware stores sell special insulation to wrap pipes and cover your outdoor spigots.
- Check if pipes in unheated parts of the home are insulated.
- Make sure outside faucet washers are secure.
- Disconnect hoses from outside faucets and use insulated faucet covers.
- Make sure the water meter box doesn’t freeze by keeping the lid on.
- Keep open cabinet doors that hold water pipes to allow heat in.
- Keep extra water drawn up.
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 6:23 AM.