Bitter Cold Grips North Texas, Snow Flurries Fall Across Region
Extremely Cold Temperatures Bring Challenging Travel Conditions
North Texas is experiencing the coldest wind chills of the season on Wednesday morning, with snow flurries falling across the region. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is seeing air temperatures drop into the teens, with wind chills in the negatives, according to the National Weather Service. In some areas north and west of the metroplex, temperatures have dropped to as low as -12 degrees due to the arctic blast.
Light Snowfall and Frosty Conditions
Light snow began falling around 2 a.m. at DFW International Airport and continued throughout the morning. The wind chill dropped to -8 degrees about 6:40 a.m. with the actual temperature reported as 12 degrees, according to the weather service. The coldest temperature on Wednesday at Dallas Love Field Airport was 14 degrees, with a wind chill of -7 degrees shortly before 7 a.m., data shows.
Travel Advisory and School Closures
The National Weather Service has issued a 6 a.m. advisory warning drivers to take it slow on North Texas roads, as slick spots mainly on bridges are possible. Snow flurries will continue across parts of North Texas for a few more hours, with areas downwind of lakes picking up a light dusting due to lake-effect snow enhancement.
Despite the cold weather, big local school districts, such as Dallas, Arlington, and Fort Worth, will remain open on Wednesday. However, Dallas schools have cancelled all outdoor athletics and events through Thursday due to the inclement weather.
Long-Term Outlook
The bitter cold is expected to linger into Thursday morning, with temperatures slowly rising throughout the day. The high temperature is forecast to rise slightly above freezing in the D-FW area by Friday afternoon, with the region warming up over the weekend.
Electricity Demand and Grid Concerns
Before the arctic blast, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a weather watch for Wednesday through Friday due to the extreme temperatures, expected higher demand for electricity, and potential lower reserves. As of Wednesday morning, the grid operator has not yet called for energy conservation.
Governor’s Warning
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has urged residents to prepare for what he called "the coldest event ever marked in history in the state of Texas" for some areas. While he expressed confidence in the grid’s ability to handle the demand, he emphasized the importance of preparation.
Dallas Forecast
Here is the latest forecast from KXAS-TV (NBC5):
- Thursday: Mixture of sunshine and clouds, bitter cold. Low: 13. High: 32.
- Friday: Partly sunny and chilly. Low: 21. High: 37.
- Saturday: Partly sunny and cool. Low: 29. High: 48.
- Sunday: Sun & clouds, milder. Low: 35. High: 64.
- Monday: Warm with a mix of clouds and sunshine. Low: 43. High: 73.
FAQs
Q: What is the current temperature in North Texas?
A: Air temperatures are in the teens, with wind chills in the negatives.
Q: How much snow is falling in the area?
A: Light snow is falling, with trace amounts accumulating.
Q: Are schools closed due to the weather?
A: Some schools, like Dallas, have cancelled outdoor activities and events, but most schools will remain open.
Q: Is the grid operator concerned about electricity demand?
A: ERCOT has issued a weather watch, but is not yet calling for energy conservation.
Q: What is the long-term forecast?
A: Temperatures are expected to rise slowly throughout the week, with the high temperature reaching above freezing by Friday afternoon. The region will warm up over the weekend.
