Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas Brace for Arctic Winter Blast

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Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas Brace for Arctic Winter Blast/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A developing winter storm threatens to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain to Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, as Arctic air plunges temperatures across the southern U.S. Texas crews are preparing for up to 5 inches of snow, while the Gulf Coast faces freezing temperatures. The storm follows a weekend Arctic blast that caused power outages, flight delays, and hazardous driving conditions across much of the country.

A sign warns drivers of ice prevention operations ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the North Texas region later this week, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Southern States Brace for Winter Storm: Quick Looks

Snow Forecast: Up to 5 inches expected in northern Texas and near the Oklahoma border.
Freezing Temperatures: El Paso will see lows around 31°F, with wind chills near 0°F.
Road Hazards: Ice and sleet may impact travel, including fans heading to the Cotton Bowl.
Gulf Coast Impact: Freeze warnings remain in place for parts of northern Florida and Georgia.
Nationwide Fallout: Over 5,000 flight delays and 100,000 power outages reported Tuesday.

Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas Brace for Arctic Winter Blast

Deep Look

The southern U.S. is bracing for snow, sleet, and freezing rain as a winter storm develops across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Meteorologists predict the storm will bring hazardous travel conditions, frigid temperatures, and potential disruptions to communities unaccustomed to severe winter weather.

Winter Weather Forecast

The National Weather Service expects wintry precipitation to begin Wednesday night, with snow accumulating between 1 to 5 inches in areas from Dallas to northern Oklahoma. Farther south, a mix of sleet and freezing rain could lead to icy road conditions.

In Dallas, city crews treated roads with salt brine on Tuesday to prepare for the storm, while emergency management officials assured residents that plans are in place. The storm could make roads especially treacherous Friday as 75,000 fans travel to Arlington’s AT&T Stadium for the Cotton Bowl.

“The city is in a preparedness phase,” said Kevin Oden, Dallas’ director of emergency management and crisis response.

Freezing Conditions in the Gulf Coast

Freeze warnings are in effect for northern Florida and southeastern Georgia, where temperatures dipped below freezing overnight. Farmers in northern Florida are monitoring fern crops, used in floral arrangements, as Valentine’s Day approaches. While citrus groves are less at risk, growers remain cautious about prolonged subfreezing temperatures.

El Paso, Texas, saw temperatures plunge to 31°F on Tuesday, with wind chill factors expected to drop to as low as 0°F early Wednesday.

Nationwide Fallout from Arctic Blast

This storm follows a weekend Arctic blast that swept across the U.S., causing widespread disruptions:

Power Outages: Nearly 100,000 customers were still without power Tuesday night across states like Missouri, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Flight Delays: More than 5,000 flights were delayed Tuesday, following over 2,300 cancellations on Monday.
Car Accidents: Hundreds of crashes were reported in Virginia, Kansas, and Kentucky earlier in the week.

In Virginia, three people died in weather-related crashes, and power outages forced the state Capitol and General Assembly buildings to close until Wednesday. A boil-water notice was issued for Richmond’s 200,000 residents, though officials hope to lift it soon.

Safety Precautions and Warnings

Forecasters warn that the storm could lead to melting and refreezing cycles, creating black ice on roadways from the Plains to the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions. Cities like Dallas and Arlington are deploying salt trucks and emergency crews to mitigate risks, while residents in affected areas are advised to limit travel and prepare for power outages.