The National Weather Service in Fort Worth issued a cold weather advisory early this Monday, warning residents throughout North and Central Texas of extremely cold wind chills as low as 5 degrees above zero. The cold snap, expected to continue until 9 AM CST Tuesday, can potentially cause hypothermia or frostbite on exposed skin if precautions are not taken. According to the National Weather Service, on Martin Luther King Day, today is mostly sunny, with a high near 37 and an east wind at 5 to 10 mph.
With the weather dipping to the low 20s overnight, the National Weather Service advises, "Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside." They also suggest keeping pets indoors as much as possible, ensuring outdoor animals have warm, dry shelter, food, and unfrozen water, and frequently checking on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbors. In the statement obtained from the Cold Weather Advisory, residents are also reminded to use portable heaters correctly and not to use generators or grills inside.
The forecast promises gradual clearing on Tuesday, with a high near 36. Conditions will improve markedly by midweek, with sunny skies and higher temperatures. On Wednesday, highs are expected to reach near 49 degrees. Towards the end of the week, temperatures are set to climb further, with clear skies and highs reaching the 60-degree mark by Friday.
Despite the frigid conditions, Dallas's Hazardous Weather Outlook does not anticipate spotter activation. However, light snow with minor travel impacts could be on the horizon for Central Texas tonight, with minimal accumulations expected in North Texas. Wind chills will drop to 5 to 15 degrees tonight, according to the Hazardous Weather Outlook. Locals need to remain vigilant during this spell of arctic air, as enduring cold weather will persist through Wednesday morning with lows in the teens and lows in the 20s and wind chills as cold as 5 degrees.
