Dallas Prepares For Dangerous Winter Storm Fern Impact

Dallas and much of North Texas are bracing for a dramatic weather shift as a powerful winter storm, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, threatens to bring a hazardous mix of rain, ice, sleet, and snow to the region starting Friday, January 23, 2026, and continuing into the weekend. According to the National Weather Service, the city will swing from sunny, mild days to potentially dangerous wintry conditions in a matter of days, a pattern meteorologists call "weather whiplash."

The week began innocently enough for Dallas residents. On Tuesday, January 20, the city basked in sunshine, reaching a comfortable high of 55 to 56 degrees with calm southern winds at about 5 mph, as reported by the National Weather Service and local outlets like NBC5 and Fox4 News. Clouds started to gather late Tuesday, with a 40 percent chance of rain predicted after midnight and lows dipping into the upper 40s. "A calm wind of around 5 mph will be present throughout Tuesday," noted KXAS-TV (NBC5), reinforcing the tranquil start before the coming storm.

Wednesday, January 21, saw a 30 to 40 percent chance of morning showers, mostly cloudy skies, and temperatures climbing toward 58 to 61 degrees. Winds shifted from south to north as the day progressed. By nightfall, conditions were expected to be partly cloudy with lows near 43 to 46 degrees and a light northeast breeze. Thursday, January 22, brought more clouds and highs near 59 degrees, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms—about 30 percent—after midnight, and lows dropping to around 41 degrees.

But the calm was short-lived. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of North Texas, effective from noon on Friday through 6 a.m. Sunday. The agency warned of a "significant threat to property or life" due to the approaching arctic air mass and wintry precipitation. Fox4 News reported, "Residents should prepare for significant travel impacts as rain, ice, sleet and snow are all possible, with temperatures expected to remain below freezing through the weekend."

The storm’s arrival is expected to be swift and severe. Friday, January 23, is forecasted to start with rain and overcast skies, with highs near 49 to 50 degrees. However, as the day progresses and temperatures begin to plummet into the upper and mid-20s by evening, rain will transition to freezing rain and sleet. The National Weather Service expects northeast winds at 10 to 20 mph, gusting higher, and an 80 percent chance of precipitation overnight. "Rain is expected through early Friday afternoon, but as temperatures plummet Friday night, precipitation will transition to freezing rain and sleet," Fox4 News emphasized.

By late Friday and into Saturday, January 24, Winter Storm Fern is poised to unleash its full force. The Weather Channel projects that snow, sleet, and ice will increase across the Southern Plains, including Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Little Rock, before spreading farther south and east into Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Carolinas. In Dallas, Saturday is expected to bring the most intense conditions, with a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow likely throughout the day. Highs will barely reach 30 degrees, and north winds will blow at 15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. "Saturday is expected to see the most intense conditions, as odds favor a transition from rain to sleet to snow given the increasing depth of the cold air," the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office explained.

Travel is expected to be hazardous, if not impossible, in some areas. The Weather Channel warned that "ice accumulations will be enough not only to make roads hazardous, if not impassable, but also to accumulate on trees and power lines, leading to tree damage and numerous power outages." Local officials are urging residents to avoid driving if roads become icy and to monitor local forecasts frequently. "Monitor local forecasts frequently and avoid driving if roads become icy," Fox4 News advised.

Power outages are a major concern, especially with memories still fresh from the deadly 2021 Texas winter storm that left millions without electricity. However, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has sought to reassure the public, stating, "ERCOT will continue to deploy all available resources to manage the grid reliably and coordinate closely with the Public Utility Commission, generation providers, and transmission utilities." The agency pointed to improvements such as a contingency reserve and scheduled maintenance periods instituted since 2021, aiming to prevent a repeat of that crisis.

Saturday night will likely continue the wintry mix, with lows plunging to around 14 degrees. The Weather Channel forecasts that the storm could spread snow and ice as far as the Texas Gulf Coast and into major cities across the South and East, including Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, and even up to New York City and Boston. By Sunday, January 25, wintry precipitation should begin to taper off in Texas, though icy roads and freezing temperatures will persist. Highs are expected to reach only the low 30s, and any remaining moisture could refreeze Sunday night into Monday morning, prolonging hazardous conditions.

Looking ahead, relief is on the horizon as Dallas is forecasted to climb above freezing by Monday afternoon, January 26, with highs in the upper 30s to near 40 degrees and mostly sunny skies. Still, the National Weather Service and local officials are urging residents to protect themselves and their property during the cold snap. Safety tips from Fox4 News include checking on neighbors and the elderly, bringing pets indoors, dripping faucets and knowing where the water shut-off valve is, and covering or moving sensitive plants. The message is clear: preparation is key.

The setup for this storm, as explained by The Weather Channel’s meteorologist Rob Shackelford, involves an Arctic High settling over the Great Lakes and sending frigid air southward, while a storm system from the Southwest brings ample moisture. "With the Arctic High pumping in cold air, temperatures will plummet, creating conditions that could be just right for winter weather," Shackelford observed. This combination is expected to create a "perfect setup" for widespread winter weather across the South, with millions potentially affected by snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures.

For Dallas and North Texas, the coming days will test the city’s resilience and preparedness. From sunny afternoons to the threat of life-altering winter weather, residents are reminded that Texas weather can change in a heartbeat—and this weekend, all eyes will be on the skies and the thermometer.