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The entire Dallas area is under a Winter Storm Watch.
This goes into effect at noon on Friday until 6 a.m. Sunday. The watch is due to the potential for wintry precipitation from Friday through Saturday night, which could pose a threat to bridges, overpasses, power lines, unprotected pipes, pets, plants and livestock.
Dangerously cold temperatures are expected Saturday night through Monday morning and could become life-threatening. Also, wind chills (feels-like temperatures) could drop as low as 5 to 10 degrees below zero. Thus, an Extreme Cold Watch will be in effect for North Texas, including Dallas and Fort Worth, from 6 p.m. Saturday until 12 p.m. Monday.
Governor Greg Abbott has also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of potential winter weather impacts expected across the state beginning Thursday.
“Based on current forecasts, the State of Texas is acting to ensure Texans have the resources they need before severe winter weather impacts communities across Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “As temperatures could drop below freezing and regions of Texas face snow, ice, and freezing rain, it is crucial that Texans remain weather-aware, check DriveTexas.org before traveling, and heed the guidance of state and local officials. I thank emergency management personnel and first responders for working tirelessly to keep Texans safe.”
According to the National Weather Service, an arctic cold front is expected to bring dangerously cold temperatures and wind-chills to the state through the early part of next week. Additionally, a storm system is expected to move through the state, bringing the possibility of freezing rain, sleet, and snow that could create hazardous travel conditions into the weekend and cause impacts to infrastructure. Areas most at risk of wintry weather are northwest, north, and northeast Texas. Freezing rain and sleet are more likely to impact areas across west, central, south-central, east, and southeast Texas. Cold rain is expected for areas in deep south Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch from January 24-27 due to forecasted below-freezing temperatures with the possibility of frozen precipitation across the ERCOT region, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves. Grid conditions are expected to be normal.