ARLINGTON, Texas — An Arctic cold front, named Winter Storm Fern, is poised to hit Texas with snow, ice, and freezing rain from Friday, January 23, through Tuesday, January 27, 2026. City of Arlington employees are actively working to safeguard public facilities and ensure community safety during the storm, according to a press release from the Office of Communication.
Public Works crews are pre-treating roads and bridges, while planning inspectors like John Snellings are ensuring businesses, such as the South Cooper Street Walmart Supercenter, are equipped with permanent backup generators. This ensures residents have access to essentials even during power outages, stated the source.
The city is also focusing on public education, with Richard Everhart from Arlington Water Utilities collaborating with NBC 5 to demonstrate how residents can shut off their water at the curb in emergencies. Meanwhile, Public Works employees are applying salt brine to high-priority streets and hospital entrances to prevent ice accumulation.
Parks, Recreation and Culture employees have covered greens at Arlington’s public golf courses to protect them from freezing temperatures, and Asset Management staff will spread “Ice Melt” on sidewalks at city facilities to ensure safe access. HVAC technician Omar Vazques-Gonzalez has installed vented grills at Fire Station No. 16 to prevent freezing pipes, according to the press release.