Arctic Air Collides With Gulf Moisture to Produce Major Winter Storm From Texas to the Southern Plains Friday Through Sunday
UNITED STATES — A major winter storm is rapidly developing and is expected to bring dangerous snow, sleet, and freezing rain from Texas through the Southern Plains beginning late Friday afternoon and lasting into Sunday morning, as Arctic air surges south and collides with deep Gulf moisture.
Why This Winter Storm Is Escalating Quickly
The latest forecast data shows stronger and faster-moving Arctic air, allowing surface temperatures to plunge below freezing sooner than earlier projections. At the same time, a deep low-pressure system is pulling in a large amount of moisture, setting the stage for widespread winter precipitation instead of a brief cold rain event.
This combination significantly raises the risk for prolonged icing, accumulating snow, and long-duration travel disruptions across multiple states.
Snow Threat Increases Across Oklahoma and North Texas
By Friday, moderate to heavy snow is expected to develop across Oklahoma, spreading southward into parts of North Texas as colder air deepens. Areas north and west of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex are most likely to see snow transition earlier, while central parts of the metro initially begin as rain.
Dallas–Fort Worth Faces Long-Duration Ice and Snow Transition
In the DFW Metroplex, precipitation is expected to start as rain Friday, then freeze by Friday night as temperatures fall. Freezing rain and sleet are likely to dominate through most of Saturday, with snow potentially developing on the backside of the storm Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Forecast models now suggest the system may linger longer into Sunday morning, increasing the risk of dangerous ice accumulation before colder air fully takes over.
Winter Mix Expands Into Central and East Texas
As the storm intensifies, a winter mix of sleet and freezing rain spreads southward and eastward into Austin, San Antonio, East Texas, and portions of Central Texas late Saturday into Saturday evening. Surface temperatures in many of these areas fall into the low to mid 20s, creating ideal conditions for ice buildup on roads, trees, and power lines.
Houston and the Gulf Coast Not Spared From Icing
Colder air is expected to push into Southeast Texas Saturday night into Sunday morning, allowing rain to transition to freezing rain in parts of the Houston area. While snowfall is unlikely this far south, even light icing could lead to power outages and hazardous road conditions in areas unaccustomed to prolonged freezes.
Dangerous Cold and Wind Chills Follow the Storm
Behind the system, temperatures plunge into the low teens and single digits across North Texas, with wind chills dropping below zero by Sunday morning in some locations. With temperatures remaining below freezing from late Friday through Monday afternoon, any ice or snow that falls may persist for multiple days.
Travel Disruptions, Power Outages, and Cancellations Likely
Given the duration, intensity, and geographic coverage of this storm, widespread cancellations, delays, and power outages are increasingly likely from Texas through the Southern Plains and eastward. Officials are urging residents to avoid travel from Friday night through Sunday morning whenever possible, as road conditions may deteriorate rapidly.
What We Still Don’t Know Yet
It remains too early to pinpoint exact snowfall or ice totals for individual cities, but meteorologists agree this system contains an unusually high amount of liquid moisture, increasing the potential for significant impacts regardless of precipitation type. Forecast confidence is high that this will be a high-impact winter storm, with details becoming clearer over the next 24–48 hours.
If you are located in Texas or the Southern Plains, now is the time to finalize preparations, monitor local advisories, and plan for extended disruptions. Have conditions already started to change where you live? Share what you’re seeing and help others stay informed by visiting CabarrusWeekly.com.
