SNOW BLOG RECAP: Relive Two Days Of Wild Winter Weather -- Snow, Cold, Icy Roads

This blog explored the winter weather that hit North Texas Feb. 6 and 7.

Update, 12:42 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7: A band of light to moderate snow is falling across counties along the Texas/Oklahoma border. Some snow flurries could hit Dallas-Fort Worth this afternoon – but it will be light. Meanwhile, freezing drizzle is expected to our south, including cities such as Killeen, Waco, Corsicana and Palestine.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. for areas north of Dallas-Fort Worth – along and north of a line from Graham to Sulphur Springs. That includes Denton and Collin counties.

As of noon, it was 30 degrees in Dallas and in the upper 20s or lower 30s throughout much of North Texas.

About half an inch of new snow has been reported in Bowie in Montague County, the National Weather Service says.

The weather service warns that travel could become hazardous to our south, including Corsicana, Palestine, Waco, Fairfield and Temple. Icing will continue until later this afternoon. Another winter weather advisory is in effect along and southeast of a line from Lampasas to Corsicana to Emory. Freezing drizzle and rain are possible.

The freeze continues for North Texas. We'll dip into the 20s tonight. But we’ll finally warm up Saturday with highs in the mid-50s.

Update, 7:53 a.m. Friday: It's in the 20s right now across North Texas. We might get above freezing later today. If we do, it won't be much warmer than 32 degrees -- maybe 35 degrees in some areas.

Update, 7:22 a.m. Friday: So is school closed today? Well, it depends. Some are closed all day. Many are delaying opening by two hours. Some are open.

Open: Dallas ISD is open today – no delays. Other districts that are open: Denton, Irving, Arlington, Plano.

Closed: Rockwall, Richardson, Garland, Mesquite and Azle ISDs are among the districts closed today. Fort Worth ISD students already had Friday off due to teacher in-service. But teachers are expected to report on time for the in-service, the district says.

Two hours late: Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is starting two hours late Friday. Other districts starting two hours late include Birdville; Hurst-Euless-Bedford; Mineral Wells; Northwest; Aledo; Southlake Carroll.

10 a.m. openings: Several districts will delay opening until 10 a.m. Friday – they include Bridgeport; Sunnyvale; Weatherford.

Check with your local district's website or social media pages to verify your school's status.

Update, 7:20 a.m. Friday: The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for several counties north of Dallas-Fort Worth, including Denton and Collin counties, as well as counties along the Texas-Oklahoma border. It includes areas along and north of a line from Graham to Denton to Sulphur Springs. Those areas could get anywhere from a half-inch to 1 inch of snow.

Currently, there are no advisories in place for Tarrant, Dallas or Rockwall counties. But light snow is possible throughout the metro.

To the south of Dallas-Fort Worth, a separate winter weather advisory is in effect until noon Friday – that’s in an area along and south of a line from Lampasas to Waco to Corsicana to Canton. A mix of freezing rain

Update, 7:15 a.m. Friday, Feb, 7: The National Weather Service wrote in one of its forecast discussions: “It is unusual for North Texas to have two separate snow events on consecutive days … but this winter has been anything but usual.”

By 7 p.m. Thursday, Dallas police had answered 406 minor accidents, 146 accidents involving injuries and 125 accidents on freeways involving injuries.

POSTINGS FROM THURSDAY, FEB. 6

Update, 10:29 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6: School closings and delays are already coming in: Rockwall ISD will be closed Friday. Azle ISD will also be closed.

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is starting two hours late Friday. Other districts starting two hours late include Birdville; Hurst-Euless-Bedford; Mineral Wells; Northwest; Aledo; Southlake Carroll.

Several districts will delay opening until 10 a.m. Friday – they include Bridgeport; Sunnyvale; Weatherford.

Check with your local district's website or social media pages to verify your school's status.

Districts try to wait until early in the morning before deciding. Dallas ISD said on Twitter Thursday evening that it plans to have school Friday, but it will make a final decision in the morning.

Students in Fort Worth ISD already have Friday off due to teacher in-service.

Update, 9:16 p.m. Thursday: So as we head into a very cold night, where do things stand, weather-wise?

We’ll dip into the low 20s tonight. Another blast of wintry precipitation is on its way Friday morning, but it will be weaker than what hit us Thursday. Dallas-Fort Worth and areas north of the metro could get some light snow, although it shouldn’t amount to much – perhaps a few tenths of an inch.

But south and southeast of Dallas-Fort Worth – cities like Canton, Palestine and Waco – could get freezing rain and freezing drizzle. A winter weather advisory has been issued for areas southeast of a line from Lampasas to Waco to Canton.

Temperatures in Dallas-Fort Worth will climb into the low 30s Friday – we might climb a bit above freezing, perhaps 33 or 34 degrees.

So will schools shut down Friday? Districts try to wait until 5 or 6 a.m. on school days to decide. Dallas ISD said on Twitter Thursday evening that it plans to have school Friday, but it will make a final decision in the morning. Check with your school district’s website or social media pages for updates.

Students in Fort Worth ISD already have Friday off due to teacher in-service. But the district will decide Friday morning whether to hold the teacher training.

On a very cold day, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking consumers to reduce electric use from 5 p.m. today through noon Friday. ERCOT saw electric demand approach its winter record this morning, ERCOT officials said.

Update, 5:43 p.m. Thursday: So how much snow has fallen on North Texas today? The most fell in southeast Wise County -- about 2 inches. Parts of southern Denton County received between 1 and 2 inches, the National Weather Service says. Most of Collin County  and Tarrant County and northern Dallas County received around three-quarters of an inch to 1 inch of snow. Southern Dallas County received three-quarters of an inch of snow. Towns along the Texas-Oklahoma border -- including Bowie, Gainesville, Sherman and Paris -- received trace amounts.

Update, 4:53 p.m. Thursday: Jacksboro is without heat. Texas Gas Service has shut off service to the entire city in Jack County due to a problem with its main line, City Manager Mike Smith told Jacksboro Newspapers. Jacksboro is about an hour northwest of Fort Worth. The newspaper reported: “The Twin Lakes Activity Center, the Jack County Youth Fair Barn and the Scarbourough Center were opened up for those needing a place to get warm. Texas Gas Service reported it would bring gas trucks for the hospital and the rest homes.”

Here are some pictures of the snow:

Update, 4:42 p.m. Thursday: On a very cold day, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking consumers to reduce electric use from 5 p.m. today through noon Friday. ERCOT saw electric demand approach its winter record this morning, ERCOT officials said. There have been issues with generation capacity due to limitations to natural gas supplies. ERCOT suggests consumers keep thermostats as low as possible, turn off non-essential lights and appliances and avoid running large appliances – washers, dryers, electric ovens – between 4 and 8 p.m. and 6 and 9 a.m.

Update, 4:10 p.m. Thursday: DART reported no significant issues with its light-rail service today. That's a far cry from December, when an ice storm knocked out service. What's the difference this time around? Light-rail can handle snow -- but ice is another matter. The Dallas Morning News has more details.

Update, 3:33 p.m. Thursday: D/FW International Airport reports about 164 departure cancelations, or about 16 percent of the day's schedule. The airport emphasizes that the airlines decide whether to cancel flights. In addition, due to de-icing, several flight delays have been reported.

Update, 3:29 p.m. Thursday: The National Weather Service has issued a new winter weather advisory for Friday for several counties south of Dallas-Fort Worth -- southeast of a line from Lampasas to Canton. There's a potential of freezing drizzle from 4 a.m. through mid-afternoon Friday. If it happens, it'll create slick bridges, overpasses and roads, the weather service says.

Update, 3:27 p.m. Thursday: Fort Worth police received 356 accident calls between 6 a.m. and noon today -- that's about one accident a minute.

Update, 3:02 p.m. Thursday: The Dallas Museum of Art closed at 2 p.m.; all evening activities are canceled. The Dallas Zoo and Fort Worth Zoos closed earlier today.

Update, 2:57 p.m. Thursday: VNA Meals on Wheels in Dallas County will not deliver meals Friday. Clients will consume one of their emergency shelf-stable box meals.

Update, 2:46 p.m. Thursday: City of Dallas recreation centers are closing at 6:30 p.m. today All afterschool programs and enrichment classes held at the centers have been canceled.

Update, 2:38 p.m. Thursday: It's still cold out there -- in the low 20s right now across Dallas-Fort Worth. We'll stay in the low 20s throughout the evening. There is a slight chance of snow flurries Friday morning. Most of North Texas will stay right around 32 degrees Friday -- maybe a degree or two above freezing.

Update, 2:36 p.m. Thursday: As of 2:30 p.m., Dallas police have responded to 291 minor accidents, 105 accidents involving injuries and 98 freeway accidents involving injuries.

Update, 2:33 p.m. Thursday: TxDOT's Dallas office says that crews are sanding and monitoring roadways. Hotspots include Woodall Rodgers Freeway and Interstate 35 and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.

Update, 1:47 p.m. Thursday: From Collin County, here’s the latest on school closures: McKinney ISD high schools are releasing 30 minutes early at 2 p.m. Elementary and middle schools will remain on their regular schedule, although parents can pick up their kids early. McKinney is cancelling after-school activities. Plano ISD is canceling after-school activities. Allen schools remain open, but after-school activities are canceled.

Also, in Plano, tonight’s State of the City address has been rescheduled due to winter weather. It will now be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Update, 1:42 p.m. Thursday: While many districts are canceling after-school activities, most are keeping open their after-school childcare programs. So check your local district's website or local school's website to confirm whether your after-school care will remain open until normal hours.

Update, 1:38 p.m. Thursday:  More school closings coming in: Coppell ISD is closing early – parents can pick up kids starting at 1:30 p.m. Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is closing early. After-school activities in many districts, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Coppell, Grapevine-Colleyville, have been canceled.

UT-Dallas has closed classes as of 1 p.m. UT-Arlington is closing at 4 p.m. UNT is open. SMU is open. 

Update, 1:21 p.m. Thursday: The city of Dallas reports that the Department of Street Services has elevated sanding operations to Ice Force Level 2. That means about 70 sanding trucks and up to 145 workers are trying to treat the streets. The department is using sand and salt on bridges, overpasses, inclines and major intersections. 

Update, 1:07 p.m. Thursday: Throughout the morning, Fort Worth Fire Department says it responded to more than 70 accidents. Also, the department has seen several people injured from falls.  

Update, 12:49 p.m. Thursday: The city of Dallas reports: "Dallas Municipal Court defendants who are unable to appear for their afternoon pre-trial hearing will not be penalized and will be reset to a future court date with a letter sent by mail.  Those who are able to attend their pre-trial hearing will be seen. The payment windows,  Proof or Plea Court and Off Docket Court will remain open. For more information or questions call 311."

Update, 12:37 p.m. Thursday: One of hundreds of accidents across Dallas-Fort Worth today. From the Dallas police: 

Update, 12:27 p.m. Thursday: More school news: Irving ISD is staying open until regular times this afternoon. Buses will run normal routes. But the district is canceling after-school activities. After-school child care will remain open until all kids have been picked up. 

Update, 12:23 p.m. Thursday: Lewisville schools are closing early. Early dismissal is at 1 p.m. for high schools, 1:45 p.m. for middle schools and 2:30 p.m. for elementary schools.

Update, 12:16 p.m. Thursday: Dallas Sanitation Services has announced it's suspending garbage and recycling collection for the rest of the day. The department hopes to resume services on Friday. Items not picked up today will be picked up on Saturday.

Update, 12:12 p.m. Thursday: Texas Woman's University in Denton is closing at 12:30 p.m. The Dallas campus is closing at the same time.

Update, 12:07 p.m. Thursday: Earlier this morning, Dallas police responded to more than 100 minor accidents, 45 accidents involving injuries and 25 accidents on freeways involving injuries. Various police departments are saying that motorists are just going too fast considering the weather. Meanwhile, Fort Worth ISD is releasing students early -- high school kids are being released at noon, with younger students being released later. (See below.)

Update, 11:50 a.m. Thursday: We'll be updating the weather news on KERA 90.1 FM at noon. The National Weather Service has an update on snowfall totals: Light snow will end in Denton, Tarrant and Parker counties by 1 p.m. Further east, Grayson, Collin, and Dallas counties should see snow ending by 2 p.m. Many areas have already picked up a half-inch to 1 inch of snow.

Update, 11:12 a.m. Thursday: Fort Worth ISD will release students early today. High school students will release at noon. Middle school students will be released beginning at 1:15 p.m. Elementary school students will be released starting at 2:25 p.m. But Dallas ISD is staying open and will dismiss at normal times. Dallas ISD, however, is canceling all campus-related after-school activities and athletic events. Weatherford ISD and Aledo ISD announced they would close early, too. (See below.)

Update, 11:06 a.m. Thursday: The city of Plano says it has five sanding crews out this morning – crews are in the process of fitting four more vehicles with sanders. They’re working to sand inclines and intersections that are becoming snow-packed and slick. Plano officials report that many motorists are traveling far too fast considering the snow and slick spots. The city plans to re-evaluate its plans at noon.

Update, 10:43 a.m. Thursday:  Some school closings are coming in. Weatherford ISD is closing at noon today. Aledo ISD is closing early – elementary schools are closing at 11:40 a.m. and secondary schools are closing at 12:40 p.m.

Update, 10 a.m. Thursday: Light snow continues to fall across Dallas-Fort Worth. Traffic is snarled on residential streets. The snow will keep falling until early afternoon. No significant school closings have been reported: Large school districts in Dallas-Fort Worth are open today. (Although some outlying districts are reporting they'll close early.) If you live north and west of Dallas-Fort Worth, you’ll get more snow -- perhaps up to an inch. It’ll also stay very cold.

The city of Dallas reports that it's activated Ice Force Level 1, which means its sanding crews are out in force treating the roads. Texas Department of Transportation crews are monitoring roads -- TxDOT says it's ready to respond with de-icer and plows if necesssary.

There are slick spots on roads and at intersections across Dallas-Fort Worth.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 2 p.m. for much of North Texas, including counties north and west of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Around 9:30 a.m., on its Twitter page, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport reported only 12 cancelations. But planes are being de-iced, and that could result in delays. Check with your airline before heading to the airport. D/FW reported that the FAA had ordered a ground stop, but that has been lifted and incoming flights are resuming.

At 10 a.m., the weather service issued an updated snow forecast. Some areas could get around an inch, and perhaps up to 2 inches -- that includes most of Tarrant County, northern Dallas County, southern Collin County, southern Denton County and counties west of Fort Worth. Other areas could get about an inch -- that includes southern Dallas County, northern Collin and Denton counties. Outlying areas will get a dusting -- including towns like Sherman, Paris, Canton and Corsicana.

Original post: Who says North Texas couldn’t host the Winter Olympics? Today's weather seems like we’d be the perfect place. This morning, snow is falling across parts of North Texas. If you live north and west of Dallas-Fort Worth, you’ll get more of it. It’ll also stay very cold. No significant school closings have been reported: Large school districts in Dallas-Fort Worth are open today.

How much snow could we get?

Expect an inch -- and up to 2 inches -- north and west of Dallas-Fort Worth, specifically north and west of a line from Eastland, Mineral Wells to Bowie, the National Weather Service says.

The snow is dry and powdery, and it's blowing around, making it difficult to measure, the weather service says. The snow is powder-like due to the cold temperatures.

Expect at least a dusting of snow -- and up to one-quarter of an inch -- for much of Dallas-Fort Worth, including Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton and Rockwall counties.

The weather service says: "Snowfall rates are generally expected to remain below one quarter inch per hour. Heavier bands may see rates as high as one half inch per hour."

When will the snow fall?

Until about noon Thursday, snow will fall in the counties to the west of Dallas-Fort Worth – that includes towns like Comanche, Cisco, Mineral Wells, Graham, Decatur and Bowie.

Snow could fall on Dallas-Fort Worth until around 1 p.m.

Brr! Way below freezing

Thursday morning, wind chills will hover around 4 degrees for Dallas-Fort Worth. But those wind chills will dip below 0 degrees for Denton and Collin counties, as well as several other counties to the north and west of Dallas-Fort Worth. The weather service has issued a wind chill advisory Thursday from 3 a.m. until noon for those counties (but not for Dallas and Tarrant counties.)

It will be so cold Thursday morning that frostbite is a possibility. It’s dangerous for pets to be outside and pipes could freeze.

It should stay below freezing for much of North Texas throughout the day Thursday.