Plan to stay off roads this weekend as an arctic blast invades North Texas.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the advice of state and local officials as temperatures are expected to drop about 30 degrees Friday, ushering in a freezing, wintry mix of sleet, snow and ice that could last for days.<\/p>\n
Officials with Fort Worth and the Texas Department of Transportation were pretreating major roads and freeways Wednesday afternoon with a sand-salt brine solution that will aid vehicular traffic on slick roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cCrews across our nine-county Fort Worth district began treating major state roadways in our area today,\u201d said Shawna Russell Jones, TxDOT\u2019s communications director for northwest Texas. \u201cWe are now in round-the-clock shifts as the region prepares for anticipated winter weather.\u201d<\/p>\n
National Weather Service officials said a winter storm watch will go into effect Friday afternoon through late Saturday night. Temperatures are expected to fall to about 37 degrees by 5 p.m. Friday with northeast winds at 5 to 15 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%.<\/p>\n
Rain showers and sleet are expected before 9 p.m. Friday. Then freezing rain and possibly heavy sleet are forecast between 9 until midnight, officials from the weather service said. The low temperature will hit 18.<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s high temperature will be about 24 degrees with sleet mixed with snow showers and freezing rain before noon. More sleet, sometimes heavy, will continue throughout the day with a 100% chance of precipitation.<\/p>\n
On Saturday evening, an extreme cold watch will go in effect as the temperature drops to 10 degrees. The extreme cold watch will last until Monday morning.<\/p>\n
![\"(Maria](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0121-Roads-04--1024x683.jpg\")
Brine on the roads by Cook Children\u2019s Medical Center shine as they dry on Jan. 21 in preparation for severe weather this weekend. The brine is a sand-salt mixture that is applied to the pavement. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n
Lara Ingram, a city spokesperson, said the Fort Worth officials are expecting between a half-inch and 1 inch of rain Friday before the transition to sleet occurs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we put down the brine,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Fort Worth city workers use the brine solution to coat major thoroughfares, hilly areas and streets around Fort Worth hospitals.<\/p>\n
Although the temperature reached 66 degrees Wednesday afternoon, a heavy-duty city truck roamed up and down 6th Avenue outside Cook Children\u2019s Medical Center to treat the road and the hospital\u2019s emergency bays.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The slick solution will coat the road and aid travelers, Ingram said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want people to be safe while traveling if they have to get out,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Municipal and state road crews will work around the clock as needed.<\/p>\n
If travel is necessary, officials offered these safety tips:<\/p>\n
Give road crews extra room to work and maneuver. At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, officials were also taking precautionary measures as they monitored weather conditions in advance of the storm.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely going to feel like winter this week,\u201d airport spokesperson Zachary Greiner said via email.<\/p>\n Crews will treat roads and bridges on airport property as needed to keep airfields and runways operational.\u00a0<\/p>\n Travelers are encouraged to monitor the weather and allow extra time to reach the airport. Check with airlines for the most up-to-date flight information, including cancellations and delays, he said.<\/p>\n Atmos Energy officials said crews were preparing to deliver safe and reliable natural gas to its customers, reminding them to never use an oven or gas stovetop to heat a home.<\/p>\n Atmos representatives said customers should make sure external vents for dryers and natural gas equipment are kept clear to avoid a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas.\u00a0<\/p>\n To minimize the risk of frozen pipes, keep faucets running at a trickle and open cabinet doors. More tips can be found at the company\u2019s Storm Center<\/a> page at atmosenergy.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fort Worth\u2019s Joint Emergency Operations Center will be activated on Friday.<\/p>\n Fort Worth road crews spread brine solution in ambulance bays for Cook Children\u2019s Medical Center on Jan. 21 in preparation for severe weather this weekend. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n Some Fort Worth events are continuing despite the weather, including the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo inside the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Midway hours may close or be adjusted. The National Cheerleaders Association\u2019s Varsity High School Nationals, with 700 cheerleading teams at the Fort Worth Convention Center, will also continue.<\/p>\n No changes in service hours are expected at the A.D. Marshal Public Courts Building. However, the Fort Worth Municipal Court\u2019s Court in the Community-Warrant Forgiveness event scheduled for Saturday at Kay Granger Elementary School will be rescheduled.<\/p>\n All in-person scheduled dockets at the A.D. Marshall building are canceled for Monday although the building will open at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n Rockwood Park, Meadowbrook and Pecan Valley golf courses will close on Thursday and are expected to reopen Tuesday afternoon, weather permitting.<\/p>\n Log Cabin Village is closed for annual maintenance and will reopen on Feb. 2.<\/p>\n Fort Worth Water Gardens will close at 3 p.m. on Friday and is expected to reopen Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nIf you must go out, drive to weather conditions, leaving extra traveling space around you, and check local forecasts.
\nDrive below posted speed limits as needed.
\nUse caution on bridges and elevated roadways as those freeze first.
\nStay current on road conditions.\u00a0
\nVisit fortworthtexas.gov\/winter-2026<\/a> or drivetexas.org<\/a> for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n