Winter storm warning issued for Dallas-Fort Worth as sleet, snow approaches
NORTH TEXAS – Early Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for several North Texas counties.
The warning goes into effect 6 a.m. Thursday and will continue until 12 p.m. Friday for counties including Denton, Collin, Parker, Dallas, Tarrant, Rockwall and Grayson.
Surrounding counties, including Johnson, Hood and Kaufman, remain under the winter storm watch that was initially issued earlier this week. A mix of snow and sleet is possible.
First Alert Weather Days also remain in effect through Friday due to the coldest days of the season arriving in Dallas-Fort Worth.
How much snow is Dallas-Fort Worth supposed to get?
The anticipated wintry mix will move into the metroplex overnight from the west, around the 4-6 a.m. time period, spreading across I-35 corridor in the 6-9 a.m. period, and into the eastern counties after that. The heaviest precipitation will be from Thursday afternoon into Friday morning
By Thursday morning, 2 to 4 inches of a mix of sleet and snow is in store for North Texans.
According to the National Weather Service, isolated snowfall amounts could top 8 inches within more intense bands. The higher amounts of snow will fall in counties north of I-20.
A strong upper low is over the Baja Peninsula and as of Wednesday afternoon, the low tracked further south which leads to more of a snow accumulation possibility in North Texas.
Wednesday's weather will be pleasant ahead of the storm. The forecasted high is 41 degrees with clear skies.
Thursday will be cooler with a high of 34 degrees and 100% chance of precipitation. Friday's high will be 38 degrees with 10% chance for precipitation.
The latest forecast models have the transition zone slightly further south which means the metroplex could be in snow longer leading to more snow accumulation.
Thursday evening, most areas, excluding far southern Central Texas, will see a mix of snow and sleet, then all snow by midnight.
By Friday, there will be light snow but roads will likely refreeze from the day before.
Driving will be difficult while this storm is over North Texas. Anyone who needs to hit the roads should plan ahead, allow extra time and drive with extreme caution.
There is an increasing likelihood of ice accumulations, up to .1 inch are expected on average; however, there is about a 10% chance of accumulations near .25 inch. The main travel impacts are expected on Thursday and Thursday night with conditions improving some Friday afternoon.
The forecast is complex and can still change, according to the CBS News Texas First Alert meteorologists.
