Winter Weather in North Texas: What to Expect and How to Prepare

A cold front moving through North Texas on Saturday evening will drop temperatures this weekend, setting the stage for a freeze watch and the coldest temperatures of fall so far. Temperatures will plummet 20 degrees from the 70s and 80s Saturday to the 50s and 60s on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office.

Some strong northerly winds are also expected to arrive behind the cold front, with gusts up to 35 mph. The Texas Department of Transportation’s DriveTexas map can be filtered to show accidents, closures and other incidents related to ice and snow across the state.

Freeze Watch and Temperature Drop

The freeze watch starts at 9 p.m. Sunday and will continue until 9 a.m. Monday, the weather service said. Most of North and Central Texas overnight Sunday will feel temperatures dip into the mid-20s to lower 30s, the weather service warned, and freezing conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

“Morning temperatures will be well below average across the region for the beginning of the upcoming work week, with near to below freezing temperatures likely Monday morning,” the weather service said. The cold could also damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Affected Areas

The watch will be in effect in several North Texas counties, including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Cooke, Grayson and Ellis. Dozens of cities are included in the freeze watch, including Dallas, Plano, Lewisville, Allen, McKinney and Fort Worth.

The regions should not see any rain through the next 7 days, and temperatures will gradually warm by mid-week, the weather service said. Record low temperatures will also spread across other parts of the South, with snow expected in the Northern Plains, The Associated Press reported.

National Weather Service

Preparing for the Cold Weather

Temperatures will warm up throughout next week, but Tuesday morning will be another chilly start, with lows in the 30s and low 40s, the weather service said. “Freeze Warnings are issued for the first freeze in the fall to signify the end of the growing season,” the warning said.

Handling Cold Weather

Here are a few tips for how to handle cold weather:

• Check road conditions before deciding whether to brave the temperatures. The Texas Department of Transportation’s DriveTexas map can be filtered to show accidents, closures and other incidents related to ice and snow across the state. The North Texas Tollway Authority Twitter account also sends out timely traffic updates regarding accidents and closures.
• If you choose to drive, use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas since they tend to freeze first.
• Dress in several layers of loose-fitting clothes and cover your face and mouth, if possible. Stay dry, and if you become wet, remove wet clothing immediately.
• Watch for signs of hypothermia. Symptoms of hypothermia in adults are shivering, fumbling hands, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss and slurred speech. In babies, hypothermia can show up as bright red, cold skin.
• If you lose power, do not store your food outside. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. You can also make your own ice to put inside the refrigerator and freezer using cups or buckets placed outside.
• Pad any pipes that are in unheated parts of your home, such as outdoors, with foam covers or cloth. Remember to drip your faucets to prevent freezing. Make sure you know how to turn your water off in case of an emergency.

Conclusion

The cold spell should be short and sweet, as warmer temperatures are expected Wednesday and Thursday. It is essential to take necessary precautions to stay safe and warm during this period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the cold weather:

Q: What is the expected temperature drop in North Texas?

A: Temperatures will plummet 20 degrees from the 70s and 80s Saturday to the 50s and 60s on Sunday.

Q: What areas will be affected by the freeze watch?

A: The watch will be in effect in several North Texas counties, including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Cooke, Grayson and Ellis.

Q: How can I prepare for the cold weather?

A: Check road conditions, dress in layers, watch for signs of hypothermia, and pad any pipes that are in unheated parts of your home.

Q: What should I do if I lose power?

A: Do not store your food outside, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed, and make your own ice to put inside the refrigerator and freezer using cups or buckets placed outside.