Texas remains locked in a high-impact winter weather event as a powerful Arctic air mass continues to push southeast across the state. While some areas are experiencing a temporary lull in precipitation, this is not the end of the storm. Additional rounds of sleet, freezing rain, and snow are ongoing or redeveloping, and dangerous cold will linger well into next week.
This system is impacting a large portion of the state, and for many locations, conditions will not meaningfully improve until at least Monday or Tuesday. Track the winter mischief with our free interactive weather radar here on our website.
What’s Happening Right Now
As of Saturday evening, the freezing line has pushed south of Interstate 10 in several areas. Much of North Texas, Central Texas, the Hill Country, the Brazos Valley, East Texas, and parts of Southeast Texas are now below freezing. Winter precipitation in these areas has transitioned from rain to sleet and freezing rain, with snow becoming more common farther north and west.
Reports of slick, ice-covered roads are increasing rapidly, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated surfaces. Even locations that were dry earlier are seeing rapid icing as temperatures fall and precipitation intensifies.
In West Texas and the Panhandle, snowfall continues, with additional accumulations expected overnight. Gusty north winds are also developing, which will worsen travel conditions and increase stress on trees and power lines already coated in ice.
The Main Wave Is Still Ahead
While some areas experienced lighter precipitation earlier today, the most impactful portion of this storm is unfolding tonight into Sunday morning.
A broad shield of winter precipitation is expected to move east across Texas overnight. This includes freezing rain and sleet across Central and East Texas, with snow more likely across the Panhandle, West Texas, and parts of Northwest Texas. Thunderstorms embedded within the precipitation shield may briefly increase precipitation rates, even where temperatures are below freezing.
For areas currently below freezing, any precipitation that falls will contribute to additional ice accumulation. In places hovering near freezing, even a one- or two-degree drop will be enough to rapidly worsen conditions.
Ice Accumulation and Power Outage Concerns
Ice remains the primary concern for much of Texas outside of the snow zones.
Freezing rain accumulations are expected to continue overnight, especially across the Hill Country, Central Texas, the Brazos Valley, East Texas, and portions of Southeast Texas. In these areas, ice accretion on power lines, tree branches, and elevated surfaces is becoming increasingly likely.
Sleet is preferable to freezing rain from an infrastructure standpoint, as it does not adhere to trees and power lines as efficiently. However, sleet still creates extremely hazardous travel conditions, often forming a rough, compacted ice layer on roadways that is difficult to treat.
Where freezing rain dominates, the risk of tree damage and power outages increases significantly, especially as winds pick up overnight and temperatures continue to fall.
Snow Continues in the North and West
Across the Panhandle, West Texas, and parts of Northwest Texas, snow remains a major component of this storm. Additional accumulations are expected through Sunday morning, with several more inches possible in some locations.
Snowfall rates may fluctuate as sleet occasionally mixes in, but travel impacts will remain severe regardless of exact totals. Blowing snow and reduced visibility are also concerns in open areas.
Cold That Won’t Let Go
Even after precipitation ends, the cold will not.
Much of Texas north of Interstate 10 will remain below freezing through Sunday, and in many areas, temperatures will not rise above freezing again until Monday or Tuesday. Overnight lows will fall into the teens and single digits across large portions of the state, with below-zero temperatures possible in parts of West Texas and the Panhandle.
Monday morning is expected to bring a hard freeze statewide, including South Texas. Any melting that occurs during the day will refreeze quickly each night, prolonging hazardous travel conditions.
This prolonged cold also increases the risk of burst pipes and creates dangerous conditions for anyone without reliable heat.
Travel and Safety Considerations
Travel is strongly discouraged across much of Texas tonight through Sunday, especially north of Interstate 10. Road conditions are expected to deteriorate further overnight, and improvements will be slow even after precipitation ends.
If you must check road conditions, use DriveTexas.org for the latest closures and travel advisories.
For those who lose power or heat, warming shelters and emergency resources are available statewide through 211Texas.org.
The Bottom Line
This is a long-duration, high-impact winter storm affecting a large portion of Texas. Ice, sleet, and snow will continue overnight into Sunday morning, followed by several days of dangerously cold temperatures.
Even where precipitation ends early, impacts will linger due to refreezing, snowpack, and ice-covered roads. Conditions will improve slowly, and for some locations, not until the middle of next week.
We will continue monitoring this storm closely and providing updates as conditions evolve.
Stay weather aware.