Texas is catching a brief break from snow and ice this afternoon, but winter isn’t fully done messing with us yet.
While no new snow, sleet, or freezing rain is expected over the next several days, freezing fog could once again create slick travel conditions tonight into Thursday morning for parts of the state. After that, another dry but cold front arrives late Thursday night into Friday, bringing gusty north winds and colder temperatures heading into the weekend.
Freezing Fog Risk Tonight and Thursday Morning
As southerly winds pull moisture back into Texas, fog will develop overnight across a large portion of the state. The concern is that temperatures will fall below freezing in several regions, allowing fog to act like light freezing drizzle.
Areas most at risk include:
- North Texas and Texoma
- The Big Country
- Northeast Texas
- Portions of Central Texas and the Brazos Valley
Where freezing fog develops, a thin layer of ice may form on bridges, overpasses, and elevated roadways, leading to slick conditions during the Thursday morning commute. Dense fog is also likely across the eastern half of Texas, potentially reducing visibility into late Thursday morning. You can view the latest Texas road conditions at DriveTexas.org.
Dry Weather, But Another Cold Front Ahead
The good news: no appreciable precipitation is expected statewide through the end of the week. No snow. No ice storms. No “surprise” winter chaos.
However, a strong, dry cold front will move south through Texas Thursday night into Friday. While it won’t bring precipitation, it will deliver:
- Gusty north winds
- A noticeable temperature drop
- A return to freezing temperatures for much of North Texas by Saturday morning
Saturday looks cold across the northern half of the state, with highs near or below freezing in North Texas and the Red River region. Conditions moderate again by Sunday, with temperatures climbing back into the 40s and 50s for most areas.
A Note on Wildfire Risk
Forecast fire danger across Texas through the end of the week.
Despite recent freezes, grass fires remain possible, especially where soils are muddy and dormant vegetation is present. Fire danger stays relatively low overall, but recent controlled burns escaping containment are a reminder that winter does not eliminate fire risk in Texas.
Looking Ahead
Our next meaningful chance for rain appears Tuesday into Wednesday of next week. At this point, temperatures look warm enough for rain rather than winter precipitation, but we’ll continue to monitor trends as we get closer.
Until then, expect:
- Freezing fog risks overnight
- Cold mornings and cool afternoons
- Mostly dry weather statewide
Stay aware during the early morning hours, especially if fog develops where temperatures dip below freezing.