A winter storm is set to hit large portions of Texas starting Wednesday night, bringing snow, ice, and sleet. Governor Greg Abbott has urged Texans to stay home if possible and remain vigilant as temperatures drop and hazardous conditions develop.
Abbott, joined by state officials including ERCOT CEO Pablo Vargas and Texas Department of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, outlined the state’s preparations for the extreme weather.
Weather Impact and Forecast
According to Abbott, freezing temperatures will persist across much of Texas, with snow, sleet, and rain impacting West Texas Wednesday afternoon before spreading eastward. The heaviest snowfall is expected in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Northeast Texas, while Central, Southeast, and South Texas may experience rain with potential flash flooding in some coastal areas.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for North Central and Northeast Texas, forecasting snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals of up to 8 inches in certain areas. Hazardous road conditions are likely, especially during Thursday’s morning and evening commutes.
State Preparedness and Resources
Governor Abbott highlighted measures taken to ensure Texans’ safety:
- Roads and Transportation: Over 2,000 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) workers are treating roads, bridges, and overpasses around the clock. Abbott advised Texans to avoid driving unless necessary and to exercise caution if they must travel. Real-time road updates are available at DriveTexas.org. Texas Department of Transportation crews have pre-treated roads, bridges, and overpasses with 500,000 gallons of brine and 800 cubic yards of granular material. Additional crews from South Texas have been staged in key areas, including DFW and West Texas.
- Warming Centers: More than 345 warming centers have been opened statewide. Texans can find locations through 211texas.org or by calling 211
- Emergency Readiness: The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has raised the State Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response) to facilitate rapid resource deployment. The Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife are ready to assist with clearing roads and helping stranded motorists.
- Power Grid Readiness: Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) CEO Pablo Vegas assured residents that the power grid is equipped to handle the demand during this storm, citing 10,000 megawatts of additional generation added since last year. However, localized outages could occur due to ice on power lines. Residents experiencing power loss should contact their local providers.
“The State of Texas is working around the clock to ensure Texans have the resources and support needed,” Abbott said.
“The lives of our fellow Texans are by far the most important thing,” he continued. “We are mobilizing resources to protect life and ensure communities are supported as they face snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.”
The storm is expected to impact West Texas first, moving eastward into Central, North, and Northeast Texas through Friday morning. Officials do not anticipate travel issues for I-35 heading into Dallas for the Cotton Bowl but recommend caution in affected areas.
Texans are encouraged to remain weather-aware, monitor updates, and follow guidance from state and local officials. Additional resources and safety tips can be found at TexasReady.gov.
