North Texas is buckling under a severe winter storm that dumped up to 5 inches of sleet across the region, with frigid temperatures threatening to set new records as residents hunker down for what meteorologists are calling the season’s most significant winter weather event.
Most of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex received between 1 and 2 inches of sleet accumulation by Sunday, while areas north of the city saw even heavier amounts reaching 3 to 5 inches, according to weather data. “Evan measures about 1.25 inches of snow outside the FOX 4 station,” one local measurement confirmed.
Record-Breaking Cold
The bitter cold isn’t going anywhere fast. Temperatures across the region are expected to remain stubbornly below freezing until Tuesday afternoon, with Sunday’s high hovering around a bone-chilling 19 degrees — potentially setting a record low high for January 25, weather forecasts indicate.
Is this just the beginning? FOX 4 Chief Meteorologist Dan Henry thinks so. “We’re now heading into the second wave of the winter storm,” Henry warned viewers as the system intensified. The meteorologist noted that the bulk of accumulation was expected overnight Saturday, with continued precipitation making travel treacherous throughout the weekend.
For perspective, historical snowfall records show the current 2024-2025 season total stands at 2.6 inches — still far from the 13.5 inches recorded during the 1923-1924 winter season. That said, with more precipitation in the forecast, this season’s totals could still climb significantly.
Regional Impact
The winter storm’s effects aren’t limited to North Texas. KOCO 5 Chief Meteorologist Damon Lane has been tracking snow totals across the broader region in a series of winter storm updates as the system moves through neighboring states.
Transportation officials are urging residents to stay home if possible, as road conditions remain hazardous with ice-covered surfaces throughout much of the metroplex. School districts across North Texas have announced closures for Monday, with some already extending cancellations into Tuesday as the region waits for temperatures to rise above freezing.
The extended cold snap presents additional challenges beyond transportation. Residents are being reminded to protect exposed pipes, check on elderly neighbors, and bring pets indoors as the frigid temperatures persist — a winter weather playbook that’s becoming all too familiar for a region that has seen increasingly volatile winter storms in recent years.
