Drizzle and light snow ending Friday morning

WINTER STORM

A Winter Storm Warning for the majority of North Texas has been canceled. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until noon on Friday.
Light snow or freezing drizzle may cause some minor accumulations through Friday morning.
Friday night temperatures will plummet into the teens and 20s, so any moisture from melting may refreeze causing issues Saturday morning.
Download our app to stay on top of changes in the forecast and school closures.
ERCOT issued a Weather Watch for Monday-Friday. There is no call for conservation.
Watch the latest forecast here.
Warming centers opened across North Texas.

A Winter Storm Warning was downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory until noon Friday. Light snow or freezing drizzle Friday morning may cause some minor accumulations through the morning hours mainly on elevated surfaces.

Why was there a variation in precipitation type?

NBC 5 Chief Meteorologist Rick Mitchell breaks down the reasons behind the differences in precipitation types.

Dallas leaders warn residents and drivers of overnight freeze possiblity

Emergency response crews are telling Dallas residents not to underestimate the severity of road conditions overnight. They're confident they have the resources needed to repsond to issues that arise but the main message is to stay home and out of this mess. Candace Sweat reports.

Football fans battle Mother Nature to attend Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Fans are ready to cheer on their team for Friday’s Cotton Bowl game with many altering their travel plans to make sure they can make it to the big event safely in dangerous road conditions.

Less than 24 hours from the kickoff of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, fans were making their way to DFW or at least trying.

As snow, sleet and ice plagued the metroplex, many of the tens of thousands hoping to attend the College Football Playoff Semifinal had to reschedule travel or jump through hoops to cheer on the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes.

Crews worked to treat and later clear roads around Arlington after sleet and freezing rain fell for hours Thursday.

Late in the day, Arlington Police said they’d responded to nearly two dozen major crashes, saying many heeded the warning to stay home and off the roads, or in the case of Cotton Bowl fans, near their hotels.

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Arlington Police say that since 7 a.m. on Thursday, officers responded to approximately 23 major accident calls. Those calls, many of which were single-vehicle wrecks, were where damage occurred, a major roadway was blocked or there were injuries. According to police, those injured in the accidents were not critical. Arlington PD says that the accident calls were mostly due to slick road conditions. Police are still urging residents to stay off the roads.

Severe weather update: Route 440 (SMU Mustang Express), the West Dallas Circuit and the Richardson-Galatyn Park Shuttle will not operate on Thursday, Jan. 9, or Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.

For questions, contact DART Customer Information at 214-979-1111. Stay safe!

These are not final numbers; snow is expected to continue overnight.

Wylie law enforcement and first responders had some fun in the snow on Thursday with a snowball fight. Wylie Fire Rescue shared on social media how the combat turned out.

Posts were shared online Thursday saying Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport had run out of the solution to deice aircraft before departure.

NBC 5 was sent some of these posts, so we contacted the airport to ask them about it. Airport officials said there was a brief delay in deicing some aircraft Thursday morning because the weather necessitated moving the location where aircraft were being deiced but that claims they were out of the solution were inaccurate and they were deicing aircraft as fast as possible.

Just after 4 p.m., the airport addressed the rumors with a statement on social media reassuring passengers that they had ample deicing materials and that crews were working hard to keep the airfield moving as safely as the weather allowed.

Late Thursday afternoon, a ground stop was implemented at the airport, halting all inbound flights until 7 p.m.

We are aware of posts claiming that DFW is out of runway deicing materials. We have ample supplies and crews have been working hard to keep the airfield moving safely as weather allows. Don't forget to add extra drive time on the roads tonight and tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/5zpfwSBccx
— DFW Airport (@DFWAirport) January 9, 2025

With more snow expected Thursday night, these are not final numbers. There could be as much as 10 inches in some areas between U.S. Highway 380 and the Red River.

Texas power grid holds strong but analysts warn it's vulnerable in a stronger storm

Winter weather in Texas often leads to questions about the state’s power grid – after a massive winter storm knocked out power to much of the state in 2021. Senior investigative reporter Scott Friedman has been tracking the grid situation ever since then and has the details.

Since a massive winter storm wiped out power to much of Texas in 2021, winter weather often leads to questions about the state's power grid. But the grid was holding strong Thursday, with plenty of reserve power available, more than 12 hours into a storm that blanketed the DFW area with sleet and snow.

Throughout the afternoon Thursday, ERCOT’s grid condition tracker reported about 10,000 megawatts of reserve power, meaning significant excess supply was available to meet the demand despite the cold weather. Any power outages occurring in neighborhoods would be caused by local issues like ice on power lines and not by problems with the statewide grid.

Oncor, the Dallas-based company that operates the transmission lines in most of the DFW area, was reporting a small number of outages Thursday afternoon, affecting only about 600-2,000 customers at any given time, out of more than 4 million.

In the days leading up to the snow and sleet, ERCOT anticipated that statewide grid conditions would remain normal. The blast of cold hitting the state this week is much lighter than winter storm Uri, the 2021 storm that brought sub-zero temperatures to the state, wreaking havoc on power plants.

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Weather forces hundreds of flights to cancel at major DFW airports

More than 1,600 flights have been cancelled in and out of Dallas airports. Crews are having to de-ice planes and the runways making for a travel nightmare in the middle of this winter storm. NBC 5’s Phil Prazan has the story.

Just by the numbers, it's pretty striking. According to FlightAware, 63% of flights at DFW were canceled, and another 14% were delayed.

NBC 5 heard about it from passengers. On a normal Thursday, DFW Airport is jam-packed with travelers going in and out. Not this week. Sleet and snow changed plans for thousands. The airport stood half empty.

Rick Tobin was on his Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle.

“Oh, it blows," said Tobin. "It just sucks. Sitting on a plane for three hours, going into the de-icing station, then turning back around to get kicked off the plane.”

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Quiet streets and cold rain: Winter weather brings rain/sleet to Waxahachie

NBC 5’s Noelle Walker was in Waxahachie where snow wasn’t seen but plenty of rain and sleet still made conditions difficult for residents.

The Thursday morning rush hour traffic in Waxahachie was anything but rushed. There were few cars on the roads, and no snow or ice to slow anyone down.

'I'm headed to Celina to work on some homes and try to get done before noon before the weather starts really turning bad," Robby Child said as he filled up his tank in Waxahachie. "People are kinda thinking the worst, but I don't think this one's gonna be quite as bad as what it was a few years ago."

Waxahachie saw cold rain with a few bursts of sleet most of the day, with no snow.

"Some people still have to work, and it's always us," Eubank Florist Manager Pam Poovey said as she worked on a flower arrangement. "I love what I do. I think that helps. If you love what you do, you put that love into it."

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Due to severe weather, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced that some driver's license office locations will be closed on Friday, Jan 9.

Customers with affected appointments are being notified and can reschedule at their convenience.

DPS DL Office Closures on Jan. 10, 2025

Daingerfield
Flower Mound
Lewisville
Linden
New Boston

‘Everyone was slipping and sliding': Fans arrive in Arlington for Cotton Bowl

Texas and Ohio State fans are arriving in Arlington for the Cotton Bowl Classic in the midst of a winter storm.

Texans on Mission

Volunteers with Texans on Mission is continuing to prep hot meals for those seeking shelter at Fair Park.

The organization posted on social media Thursday that they are now cooking 1,750 hot meals every morning and evening after the opening of a second overflow shelter in Fair Park. For more information on volunteer efforts, click here.

Oncor says outages from winter weather on Thursday are minimal so far and that crews are working to quickly and safely restore service where needed.

Oncor is the Dallas-based company responsible for the physical delivery of electricity to homes and businesses in a large part of Texas.

The company said lineworkers, construction crews and tree trimmers are prepared to respond to any outage overnight and into Friday.

Oncor said ice accumulation poses the greatest threat to electric service as it can weigh down branches and equipment.

"While significant ice accumulation has not yet occurred on vegetation or power lines, even a small amount of ice can make roads and bridges slick and dangerous to drive on. Snow can also become compacted and act as a sheet of ice on roadways," Oncor said. "As a result, vehicle accidents that impact electric poles and equipment may be more likely, and it may take additional time for Oncor team members to safely navigate to outage locations."

Plano crews are treating slushy roads, dumping sand on melting and compacted snow to give drivers more traction.

The city shared photos of a sand truck in the Legacy West area but said 10 trucks sanded more than 100 locations, including intersections, bridges, and facilities across the city.

The city said that between 6 a.m. and roughly 2 p.m., they responded to 12 crashes.

Due to wintry weather, all Children’s Health clinics will move to virtual visits on Friday, Jan. 10. Hospitals, surgery centers, and emergency rooms will remain open.

The hospital said for upcoming appointments, patients should watch for communication from their care team.

Visit http://childrens.com/weather for more.

NBC 5 Meteorologist Kevan Smith talks about the snowfall expected in North Texas on Thursday night and what we'll see on Friday.

Why is there a wintry mix instead of just snow, sleet or rain?

NBC 5 Meteorologist Kevan Smith shares the science behind the wintry mix of cold rain, sleet and snow falling in different parts of North Texas.

The city of Plano has 10 sanding trucks spreading salt and sand on roadways.

Trucks have sanded more than 100 locations including intersections, bridges and facilities, the city said.

The city says snow on the roadways is melting as cars compact it. Since 6 a.m. Plano has reported 12 traffic accidents.

Sanding truck drives through intersection at Legacy West in Plano.

The Texas Department of Public Safety announced that some driver's license offices would be closed on Thursday, Jan. 9 due to the inclement weather.

Those offices include:
Athen, Bonham, Canton, Carrollton Mega Center, Carthage, Clarksville, Cleburne, Corsicana, Daingerfield, Dallas South Mega Center, Decatur, Denton, Emory, Flower Mound (Argyle), Fort Worth East, Fort Worth Mega Center, Fort Worth South, Gainesville, Garland Mega Center, Garland Regional, Gilmer, Grandbury, Grand Prairie, Greenville, Henderson, Hurst, Jacksonville, Kilgore, Lake Worth, Lewisville, Linden, Marshall, McKinney, Mineral Wells, Mount Pleasant, New Boston, Palestine, Paris, Plano, Quitman, Rockwall, Sherman, Stephenville, Sulphur Springs, Terrell, Texarkana, Tolar, Tyler, Waxahachie and Weatherford.

Impacted customers are being notified, and their appointments will be honored at the customer’s convenience, according to the Texas DPS.

Coppell ISD was one of the many school districts that canceled school on Thursday due to snowy weather, but that didn't stop an elementary school police officer from checking on some of his students.

Jim "JT" Turner, an officer with the Coppell Police Department who is a school resource officer at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, drove through the neighborhood around his school on Thursday to see how his students were managing in the cold.

They were apparently managing just fine -- and lured Turner into a snowball fight.

A Coppell ISD school resource officer has a snowball fight with kids on a "snow day," Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.

The school district said Turner is at the school every day while the school is in session and that he created some special memories with his students on Thursday.

It was a snow day for virtually everyone in North Texas, and kids and pets got out and enjoyed the winter weather, some for the very first time. Check out the gallery here.

There was enough snowfall for North Texans to build snowmen. They shared their photos with iSee@nbcdfw.com. Check them out in the gallery here.

DFW, Love Field Airports face delays and cancellations amid winter storm

At DFW Airport, 42% of arriving flights have been cancelled and as of 10:30 a.m., all inbound flights are being held at their departing airport.

Due to the weather, the Dallas Mavericks are moving up their game time Thursday.

The Mavs play Portland at the AAC and tip-off will now be at 6:30 p.m. Doors open to the arena at 5 p.m.

The team is asking fans to check the latest local weather conditions before coming out to the game and to consider riding the DART Rail to Victory Station instead of driving.

For more information, please visit mavs.com.

Waxahachie florist opens in winter storm

While many businesses closed in Ellis County due to the winter storm, one business stopped to smell the roses. NBC 5's Noelle Walker reports from Waxahachie.

The city of Anna shared these photos of snow-covered roads Thursday morning.

Schools that didn't announce Thursday that they were closing on Thursday and Friday are beginning to announce their plans for tomorrow.

Shortly before noon Thursday, Arlington and Grand Prairie confirmed they were extending their shutdown through Friday due to weather. The Grapevine-Colleyville ISD and Dallas County also announced they would be closed on Friday.

Click here to see the latest list of business and school closures across North Texas. This list will be continually updated throughout the day - so check back and refresh the article for the latest list.

The Dallas Zoo says that because the forecast calls for significant snow Thursday night into Friday, the zoo will be closed on Friday.

The zoo said they plan to email guests who bought advanced tickets to make arrangements.

They said they'll continue to watch the weather before deciding about Saturday.

To see our updated list of school and business closings, click here.

NBC 5 Meteorologist Adrienne Vonn spotted NBC 5 Reporter Alanna Quillen on our skycam in Denton Town Square.

The snowfall in the town square has begun piling up, making for a gorgeous backdrop.

I spy @AlannaNBC5 on our Denton camera ! Snow still coming down! ❄️☃️ pic.twitter.com/XKgMg2wXqy
— Adrienne Vonn (@adrienne_nbc5) January 9, 2025

Snow makes for perfect picture in Downtown Dallas

Several people are out and about in Dallas as events continue at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. NBC 5's Alicia Barrera is live in Downtown Dallas.

Super snowy, winter wonderland in Cooke County

Big flakes are falling along Interstate 35 in Cooke County where few drivers are on the highway and even fewer on the side roads. NBC 5's Wayne Carter has more.

Crews working to clear roads as snow begins to pile up in Frisco

Snow is piling up in Frisco, and one family even traveled to North Texas from Austin to experience the winter weather. NBC 5's Sophia Beausoleil tells us more.

Rain and snow cause wet conditions on High Five Interchange

Road conditions are wet in Dallas causing issues and slowing drivers. NBC 5's David Goins gives us a look at road conditions on the Dallas High Five Interchange.

TxDOT working to treat roads in winter storm

NBC 5 spoke to Kenna Mitchell with the Texas Department of Transpiration Dallas District about the winter weather response.

Denton police say multiple drivers are stuck on the northbound Interstate 35E service road near Brinker/Buc-ee's Boulevard.

The service road is currently closed at Medpark Drive.

Denton police said they are responding to crashes across the city and encouraging drivers to stay home and off the roads if possible.

If you must get out, drivers are encouraged to avoid this area.

Multiple vehicles are currently stuck on the northbound I-35E service road near Brinker/Buc-ee’s Blvd. The service road is currently closed at Medpark Drive – seek an alternate route!

Please stay home if possible. We are responding to traffic hazards and crashes across Denton. pic.twitter.com/HFyokkd8yo
— Denton Police Department (@DENTONPD) January 9, 2025

Roads are passable but are slick as snow begins piling up across North Texas. Drivers are encouraged to use caution as several major crashes have been reported on Thursday.

As road conditions become more icy and dangerous, the Burleson Police Department took to social media to ask people not to "test their luck" on the roads during the winter storm.

"Your Adventure = First Responder’s Risk" the post said.

First responders put themselves in dangerous situations to rescue others in these conditions, so don't turn a snow day into an emergency, Burleson PD told North Texans.

However, they did acknowledge that some people HAVE to drive in the icy conditions and provided some tips.

Drive Slow: Pretend you’re cruising through a Buc-ee’s parking lot looking for a spot.
No Sudden Moves: No slamming on brakes or jerky steering—ice will laugh in your face.
Leave Space: You need at least 5-10 seconds of distance between you and the car ahead.
Stay Off Overpasses: Bridges and overpasses freeze first, and your tires won’t care if you prayed before crossing.
Pack Essentials: If you do venture out, bring a blanket, water, snacks, and a phone charger. If you slide off the road, you’ll want more than just cowboy grit to survive.

Several cars have been having issues on bridges and overpasses along U.S. Highway 75 in North Dallas on Thursday. Snow is falling in the area and road conditions are deteriorating.

Traffic conditions across North Texas are getting worse as traffic sensors indicate people are slowing down as wintry precipitation falls.

A tractor-trailer jackknifed and is slowing traffic along the northbound lanes of Interstate 45. The incident took place on a bridge near East Overton Road.

Traffic is slowly getting by in the left lane.

Drivers are encouraged to be cautious on Thursday as road conditions are expected to deteriorate in wintry conditions.

Flight Aware says North Texas leads the world Thursday in flight cancellations and delays.

As of 10:40 a.m., at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, there have been 540 outbound canceled flights and another 91 delayed, with departure delays at about 25 minutes and increasing. At Dallas Love Field, 108 outbound flights have been canceled and 13 delayed.

Nearly 500 flights into DFW have also been canceled, and another 68 have been delayed. More than 100 flights into Love Field have been canceled and two delayed.

Fort Worth-based American Airlines leads with 346 flights canceled Thursday and 195 delayed. Envoy Air (American Eagle) is second, with 309 canceled and 16 delayed. Dallas-based Southwest Airlines has 237 cancellations and 122 delays.

As snow moved into North Texas for the first time in 2025. NBC 5 viewers captured images of the snowfall in cities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Click here to see the gallery.

NBC 5's Sophia Beausoleil captured snow and sleet falling in Frisco, Texas Thursday morning near the intersection of the Dallas North Tollway and State Highway 121.

A vehicle crash on the ramp connecting southbound Texas 360 to westbound Interstate 30 is slowing traffic Thursday.

The ramp is partially blocked.

NBC 5 Meteorologist Samantha Davies said the roads appear to be slick and that road conditions in the area may be deteriorating.

Drivers are encouraged to use extreme caution as ice will first develop on bridges and overpasses.

A tractor-trailer is dangling over a ramp connecting Texas 114 to Texas 183 at Grauwyler in the Dallas/Irving area. Traffic is light in the area and one lane is getting by as first responders work to clear the crash.

NBC 5 Meteorologist Samantha Davies said the roads appear to be slick and that road conditions in the area may be deteriorating.

Drivers are encouraged to use extreme caution as ice will first develop on bridges and overpasses.

Cars struggle as wintry mix makes North Texas roads slick

The cab of an 18-wheeler was left dangling off the road on SH-183 as the wintry mix made driving conditions hazardous. NBC 5's Samantha Davies has the details.

🚨Attention 🚨
The winter weather is here! Roads are already slick and dangerous in certain areas, and we expect to get more throughout the day. Please stay home if you can. It's crucial to keep our roads clear so first responders can safely answer calls throughout the day.… pic.twitter.com/pt9QemyEkr
— Irving Police Dept. (@IrvingPD) January 9, 2025

Emergency plans in place as snow begins to fall in Dallas

Snow is beginning to fall in Dallas and starting to accumulate in some places. NBC 5's Larry Collins tells us what the city did to prepare for this weather event.

What a difference a few minutes makes! Same location we shot earlier this morning covered in snow at 8:30 a.m.

If you're able to safely get out on Thursday and Friday, the Children's Aquarium Dallas in Fair Park says they will remain open during winter weather.

"While schools are closed, the aquarium will offer a warm, indoor place for families to enjoy fun and educational activities when it is safe to travel. Families attending on Thursday and Friday will receive free Stingray food so they can pet and feed the friendly animals in Stingray Bay."

Tickets are required and parking is free. Enter Fair Park at Gate Six.

TxDOT works overnight to get roads ready for winter weather

Kenna Mitchell with the Texas Department of Transportation's Dallas District tells NBC 5 about how the streets have been prepped and if the rain will impact the brine solution that has been sprayed on the roads.

Snow started falling in Gainesville around 8 a.m. NBC 5 caught snow accumulating around the city.

"It is here. This is a marathon, though, not a sprint, and we're going to have stages of this winter storm. The first stage has arrived. It's a wintry mix, that's why all these different colors are here. The pink is generally sleet, the blue is generally snow and there are some pockets of rain in there as well."

NBC 5's Diana Zoga is in Rockwall and, at about 8:10 a.m., said traffic seemed to be moving well, though there were far fewer people on the Interstate 30 bridge crossing Lake Ray Hubbard.

While doing her live report, Zoga said sleet had begun transitioning to snow.

Denton County braces for arrival of winter weather

Parts of Denton County could see higher snow totals as the winter storm arrives in North Texas. NBC 5's Alanna Quillen has the details.

How the Joint Emergency Operations Center in Fort Worth is preparing for winter weather

Joe Martinez with Fort Worth's Joint Emergency Operations Center tells NBC 5 about how the city is keeping streets ready for a wintry mix.

In parts of Wise, Denton and Collin counties north toward the Red River, snowfall potential is up to 10 inches.

Most of the Metroplex can expect between 1 inch and 5 inches, while areas south of Interstate 20 could get up to 2 inches.

CEO of OurCalling tells NBC 5 how they are helping the homeless during the winter weather

Wayne Walker, pastor and CEO of OurCalling, explains the dangers of being outside during these cold temperatures and what the organization is doing to help the homeless get off the street.

Snow started falling in Denton around 7 a.m. our live camera shows snow accumulating on the grass at the Denton County Courthouse on the square.

Snow in Denton! ❄️
Some light accumulation beginning on the grass. Roads are just wet, but watch those bridges! --> #NBCDFWWeather pic.twitter.com/cbwCrZDkkQ
— Grant Johnston (@GrantJNBC5) January 9, 2025

NBC 5 Photojournalist Nefty Gonzalez pointed his camera toward the street lights to show snow falling in Downtown Dallas just after 7 a.m. Thursday.

It started off as sleet and now it’s full on BIG snowflakes here in Denton. The winter precip has begun in many parts of North Texas! 🥶❄️@NBCDFWWeather @NBCDFW @adrienne_nbc5 @SDaviesNBC5 @LauraHarrisNBC5 @DeborahNBC5 @GrantJNBC5 pic.twitter.com/0JrYqbSw34
— Alanna Quillen (@AlannaNBC5) January 9, 2025

School closings are being reported for Friday. For a full list of school closures across North Texas, click here.

Here's when we expect things to happen through Friday morning.

Want to see NBC 5's live S-band radar? To watch live radar, click here.

Depending on where you are, you may see ice on the roads up to 1/10th of an inch in thickness, making travel by road difficult.

Hazardous road conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes. Further south, road conditions could be slick and hazardous on bridges and overpasses.

Zoom in or out of the map to see how much snow could fall in North Texas or anywhere else in the United States.

The map displays the expected total accumulation of new snow over the next 72 hours across the contiguous United States. Data are updated hourly from the National Digital Forecast Database produced by the National Weather Service.

A Winter Storm Warning went into effect at 6 a.m. Thursday for Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Lamar, Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Delta, Hopkins, Parker, Tarrant, Dallas, Rockwall, Kaufman, Van Zandt and Rains counties.

During the winter storm, the National Weather Services expects mixed precipitation to transition to all snow on Thursday evening, with total accumulations between 2 and 4 inches. Isolated snowfall amounts could top 8 inches with more intense bands.

The Winter Storm Warning is in effect until noon Friday.

NBC 5 Forecast: Winter Storm Warning Thursday into early Friday

A Winter Storm Warning has been posted for the impending winter weather that arrives today While it begin as a rain/sleet/snow mix, snow will overspread much of North Texas through the day and continue tonight. The snow will begin to accumulate tonight, when snow may be heavy at times.

Getty Images

Virga, precipitation that falls from clouds but that doesn’t make it to the ground, falls in North Texas.

Did you get a weather alert saying it was snowing?

Technically, snow was falling, but it wasn’t visible from the ground. This weather phenomenon is called virga. If you've ever noticed tiny streaks beneath a cloud, it might be a sign you're observing virga.

Virga occurs when rain or snow falls from a cloud, but the droplets evaporate before reaching the surface. This happens because the air below the cloud is too dry to support growth, allowing precipitation to hit the ground.

This is exactly what happened here. The strong, northerly winds brought very cold air with dew points in the teens, making the air extremely dry. Wind shifts play a crucial role in determining whether the air contains moisture. Winds from the south, however, bring higher dew points, signaling more moisture in the air.

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NOTE: If you received push alerts about snow falling at your location on Tuesday night and didn't see any snow falling, those alerts were triggered by the National Weather Service’s NEXRAD radar after virga was detected. Virga is precipitation that falls, but does not make it to the ground. The latest winter storm forecast from NBC 5's team of Weather Experts can be seen below.

Storm readies to dump snow on Texas

In North Texas, road crews treated roads ahead of the storm's arrival.

Mark Reid said Wednesday that he has been very busy delivering groceries for Instacart.

“I'm going to be done probably about 5 or 6 (p.m.) today and then tomorrow I'm going to be in the house," Reid said outside of a Dallas grocery store as he loaded his fourth order of the day into his car.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday that the state had deployed several emergency agencies and opened hundreds of warming centers ahead of the storm.

“The lives of our fellow Texans are by far the most important thing,” he said, warning affected residents to avoid driving if possible.

Abbott also expressed confidence in the state's power grid, which failed during an unusually cold storm in 2021, leaving more than 3 million residents without power and resulting in the deaths of more than 200 people. He said that if an outage occurs this week, it's likely due to a downed power line.

“If there is a loss of power, it’s not going to be because of the power grid,” the governor said.

The storm could make the roads slick on Friday as 75,000 fans head to AT&T Stadium in Arlington to see Texas play Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Arlington spokesperson Susan Shrock said crews will be ready to address any hazardous road conditions around the stadium.

ERCOT issued a Weather Watch for Monday-Friday as cold weather appears here to stay.

ERCOT TXANS and Emergency Levels Explained

In 2023, ERCOT debuted TXANS to deliver clear and reliable information to the public about grid conditions. Here’s what the alert levels mean:

Weather Watch: A Weather Watch is an advanced notification of an upcoming weather system that is expected to increase electricity usage. Texans are asked to pay attention to changing weather conditions that may result in a call for conservation. During a Weather Watch, grid conditions and electricity use are normal.
Conservation Alert: This is a voluntary request to reduce electrical use, ERCOT said. While ERCOT said it is not in emergency operations, it asks the public and “all government agencies to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.”
Energy Emergency Level 1: Conservation is considered to be critical. We reach this stage when operating reserves drop below 2,300 MW and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes.
Emergency Level 2: Triggered when reserves are less than 1,750 MW and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes. At this point, ERCOT can reduce demand on the system by interrupting power from large industrial customers who have contractually agreed to have their electricity turned off during an emergency.
Emergency Level 3: The final level hits when reserves drop below 1,430 MW. If operating reserves then drop below 1,000 MW and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes and/or the grid’s frequency level cannot be maintained at 60 Hz, then ERCOT will implement “controlled outages,” also known as rolling blackouts.

Texas power grid Jan 5

ERCOT issues Weather Watch as cold weather settles into North Texas

weather Jan 4

Here is where you can stay if you need some place warm to go

Forecast Mar 28

NBC 5 Forecast: More heavy rain to come, possible severe weather and flooding

severe weather Jan 2

Record warmth and lake effect snow in DFW? Here's a look back at 2024's weather

COLD WEATHER PREPARATION

Winterizing Your Home
Before the cold, replace worn weatherstripping on doors and windows to ensure a good seal. This will make sure warm air stays inside and cold air stays outside. Most modern windows are sealed inside the frame, but older windows may be sealed with a glaze that can crack and need replacing. The glaze may need to be applied above a certain temperature and it'll need time to cure -- this maintenance is ideally done in the spring or fall. Lastly, check your gutters to ensure they are clear and allow water to flow freely to the downspout. Blocked gutters can lead to water entering the home. The Texas Department of Insurance also recommends trimming trees away from power lines, homes, and cars and checking the insulation level in attics.

Protecting Your Pipes
Most North Texans know to insulate their outdoor faucets, but if the cold snap is prolonged it could be a good idea to also leave inside faucets on external walls dripping overnight so that they don't freeze. The drip, drip, drip from running faucets, if heard, can be annoying, so put a sponge or towel in the sink to silently catch each drop. If you're leaving town for a few days, the Texas Department of Insurance recommends leaving cabinet doors open so that pipes on external walls are more exposed to heat. If you have pipes in an attic or crawlspace or any other exposed pipes outdoors, they'll need insulation, too. For external faucets, disconnect hoses and insulate the valves. Wrapping valves with towels is not the best long-term solution. Most, if not all, North Texas hardware stores sell inexpensive exterior faucet covers made of foam that easily attach to the faucet bib in just a few seconds and do a great job protecting the pipe from freezing. If you suspect a pipe has frozen, keep the faucet open so that water can flow when it melts. Additionally, make sure you know where your main water valve is located (and how to turn it off) in the event a pipe bursts.

Bring in Your Pets
Even if you have a pet or animal that normally lives or sleeps outdoors, they could be susceptible to cold, hypothermia, and pneumonia. The SPCA of Texas says if you're cold outside, odds are your pet is cold too. Bring pets inside and make sure other outdoor animals have appropriate shelter, dry and well insulated, to protect them from frigid temperatures and possible death.

Protecting Your Plants
Perennial potted plants should be brought indoors. Plants that cannot be brought inside will need to be covered. Delicate plants can be covered with sheets, blankets, or landscaping frost blankets, which can trap heat. During times of extreme cold, multiple frost blankets may be used. For plants left outside a day or two before a freeze hits, the Dallas Arboretum recommends watering the soil only by hand, keeping the foliage dry to insulate the plant's roots. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has more here on how to protect plants from frosts and freezes. AgriLife also has tips on how to plant for the winter.

Turn Off Your Sprinkler System
You want to turn off your irrigation system for several reasons. One is that you don't want it running on its normal schedule, potentially throwing water on streets where it can freeze and be dangerous for passing cars. Second, you don't want to risk any broken pipes or valves that may come with a system that has not been winterized. To winterize your system, the city of Fort Worth recommends that timers and back-flow devices both be turned off, even if you have freeze or rain sensors installed and that the main line be drained. Any pipes that are above the ground should also be insulated.

HVAC
Many air filters should be changed or cleaned every three months or every season. But that's not the only winterizing needed for your HVAC system. You should check your ductwork regularly for holes (whether from vibration or rodents) to ensure the airflow is uninterrupted. If part of your HVAC is in the attic, it may also be home to rats, mice, and squirrels who find the unit's warmth an ideal spot to build a nest.

Swimming Pools
Even if you have a freeze protector among your pool equipment, you'll want to look at the pump daily to ensure it's moving water through your pipes. Those pipes, too, can burst if they freeze.

Batteries
Having fresh batteries for flashlights during a power outage is always a good idea. If you didn't replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors during daylight saving time -- now is a good time to make the switch. It's also a good idea to ensure your phone is charged so that you'll have access to timely information in the event of a power loss. Having a backup battery or power source to recharge your phone is also a good idea.

WEATHER QUIZ

weather quiz Dec 17, 2024

Drizzle and light snow ending Friday morning; Closings list updated

Winter weather exits North Texas Friday morning

WINTER STORM

Why was there a variation in precipitation type?

By Rick Mitchell

Dallas leaders warn residents and drivers of overnight freeze possiblity

By Candace Sweat

Football fans battle Mother Nature to attend Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

By Allie Spillyards

Arlington PD reports 23 major accident calls during Thursday's winter weather

By Dominga Gutierrez

DART suspends rail service

By NBCDFW Staff

Winter weather accumulations so far in North Texas

By NBCDFW Staff

Wylie Police and Fire Departments enjoy snowball fight in winter weather

By NBCDFW Staff

DFW Airport addresses claims they ran out of deicing solution

By Frank Heinz

Snow totals so far!

By Rick Mitchell

Texas power grid holds strong but analysts warn it's vulnerable in a stronger storm

By Scott Friedman and Eva Parks

Weather forces hundreds of flights to cancel at major DFW airports

By Phil Prazan

Quiet streets and cold rain: Winter weather brings rain/sleet to Waxahachie

By Noelle Walker

Texas Driver License Offices closed Friday due to weather

By Ahraya Burns

‘Everyone was slipping and sliding': Fans arrive in Arlington for Cotton Bowl

By Allie Spillyards

Volunteers continue to prep meals for those seeking shelter in cold conditions

By Dominga Gutierrez

Oncor says power outage impacts from winter storm are minimal so far

By NBCDFW Staff

Plano rolls out sand trucks, covers melting snow

By Sophia Beausoleil

Children's Health clinics move to virtual visits Friday due to weather; Hospitals, ERs open

By NBCDFW Staff

Is more snow coming Thursday night?

By Kevan Smith

Why is there a wintry mix instead of just snow, sleet or rain?

By Kevan Smith

Plano deploys sanding trucks to help clear roadways

By NBCDFW Staff

Texas Driver License Offices closed Thursday due to weather

By Dominga Gutierrez

School resource officer gets into a snowball fight checking on ‘snow day' students

By Frank Heinz

Snow day! Kids and pets enjoy the first snow of 2025

By NBCDFW Staff

North Texans ‘want to build a snowman' and did, and shared their photos

1,600 cancellations and hundreds of delays reported at DFW, Love Field airports amid winter weather

By NBCDFW Staff

Mavs get earlier tip-off Thursday due to the weather

By NBCDFW Staff

Waxahachie florist opens in winter storm

By Noelle Walker

Snow coated roads in Anna

By NBCDFW Staff

School closing list updated for Friday

By NBCDFW Staff

Snow totals so far!

By Adrienne Vonn

Winter weather forces Dallas Zoo to close Friday

By Frank Heinz

Snowfall makes for a picturesque Denton Town Square

By NBCDFW Staff

Snow makes for perfect picture in Downtown Dallas

By Alicia Barrera

Super snowy, winter wonderland in Cooke County

By Wayne Carter

Crews working to clear roads as snow begins to pile up in Frisco

By Sophia Beausoleil

Rain and snow cause wet conditions on High Five Interchange

By David Goins

TxDOT working to treat roads in winter storm

Drivers stuck near Buc-ees in Denton

By Frank Heinz

Snow begins sticking to area roads, piling up