Dallas-Fort Worth preparing for snow showers this week
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The forecast for North Texas this week calls for something we haven't seen in a while: snow showers.
The big picture: A powerful winter storm is traversing the country from west to east, knocking out power and snarling travel.
- Arctic air moving in behind the storm has sent temperatures plunging in Texas.
The latest: The National Weather Service in Fort Worth is forecasting highs in the area in the 30s and lows in the 20s — with wind chill temperatures even lower — through Friday.
- The latest forecast shows snow showers starting Wednesday night and continuing Thursday, with a "most likely" chance of 2-5 inches of snow.
- Central Texas is expected to get a mix of rain and snow.
- ERCOT, the state's power grid operator, has declared a "weather watch" through Friday, but officials said they expect grid conditions to be normal during the watch.
The upside: The forecast doesn't show any rain or sleet in North Texas this week, only snow.
- "The good news about snow is that at least it's not a sheet of ice that we can sometimes have … at least snow can give you a little bit of traction if you have to be in a vehicle," NWS meteorologist Matt Stalley tells Axios.
Flashback: DFW Airport recorded 1.5 inches of snow Jan. 14-15, 2024, per the weather service. It was the airport's only snowfall the entire winter.
What they're doing: The Texas Department of Transportation has over 400 employees ready to help with the forecasted winter weather, spokesperson Tila Grant tells Axios.
- Over the weekend, crews started preparing roadways with a brine solution. The most-traveled roads were prepped first, such as Interstate 35 and U.S. 75.
- The department also has snowplows ready in case the snow does arrive.
- "We have all kind of just been on edge a little bit to make sure we're ahead of the game as quickly as possible," Grant said.
Between the lines: As with any major weather event since the 2021 winter storm, Texans are collectively holding their breath over the status of the state's power grid.
- The grid has faced intense scrutiny since the storm caused mass power outages statewide and contributed to hundreds of deaths.
- Grid operators say they're ready to handle freezing temperatures and precipitation.
How to prepare: Our Axios colleague Shauneen Miranda has these tips on how to prepare your home, car and pets for a winter storm.
- The U.S. Department of Energy says electric vehicle drivers should seek indoor or covered parking, maintain a charge of 80-100% and warm up the car before driving.
What's next: During the storm, check the ERCOT website for updates on the energy grid and avoid leaving home.
- Shut off your water if your pipes freeze and check road conditions at drivetexas.org before leaving home. Several North Texas cities have opened warming shelters.
The bottom line: The forecast will evolve Tuesday and Wednesday, so keep checking the National Weather Service's updates and adjust your plans accordingly.