Winter Storm Forces Cancellations And Closures Across Texas

As North Texas and much of the southern United States brace for a formidable winter storm, communities across the region are hustling to prepare for what meteorologists warn could be days of snow, ice, and biting cold. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Watch for North and Central Texas beginning Friday afternoon, January 23, 2026, and continuing through Sunday morning, with an Extreme Cold Watch to follow from Saturday evening through Monday. According to FOX 4, forecasters predict North Texas could endure nearly 100 hours of sub-freezing temperatures—a chilling prospect for a region more accustomed to mild winters.

The impending storm isn’t just a Texas story. As Newsweek reports, meteorologists expect the system to sweep across the Southern Plains and into the Mid-Atlantic, bringing heavy snow and accumulating ice from Oklahoma and Texas all the way to Virginia and the Carolinas. AccuWeather’s Bob Larson described it as “a far-reaching storm that affects a multitude of states and lasts for an extended period of time.” The southernmost states, less equipped for extreme winter conditions, are considered especially vulnerable.

Communities are already feeling the impact, with a cascade of cancellations and postponements. Dallas ISD, for example, announced all after-school and weekend activities are canceled for Friday, January 23, and the weekend, though schools remain open for now. The Texas Rangers’ much-anticipated Fan Fest in Arlington, originally set for Saturday, January 24, was called off, as were Thursday and Friday stops on their Winter Caravan tour. Fans who purchased tickets have been promised automatic refunds. Billy Bob’s Texas, a popular music venue, also canceled a Pat Green show scheduled for Saturday, with refunds available at the point of purchase, according to FOX 4.

The Dallas Museum of Art postponed its “Late Night at the Museum” event from January 23 to February 6, while several school districts—including Northwest ISD, Plano ISD, Quinlan ISD, Rockwall ISD, Boyd ISD, Godley ISD, Dallas ISD, and Decatur ISD—have scrambled to reschedule high school sporting events. In DeSoto, the state championship football parade, originally scheduled for January 24, has been pushed back a full week to January 31 due to the storm threat.

Despite the slew of cancellations, some events are forging ahead, albeit with heightened precautions. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, a staple of the region’s winter calendar, remains on schedule for January 23–25. Organizers are working closely with the City of Fort Worth to ensure public safety, especially with freezing temperatures and sleet in the forecast. “The FWSSR said it is working with the City of Fort Worth to ensure public safety with freezing temperatures and sleet expected,” FOX 4 reported. The PRORODEO Tournament, part of the Stock Show, is set to proceed as planned, with organizers citing the logistical impossibility of rescheduling due to multiple pre-booked venues.

Animal welfare is also top of mind. The City of Fort Worth is providing extra food and protein tubs for steers, while horses are being moved into winter stalls and blanketed for warmth. Meanwhile, the NCA High School Nationals Cheerleading Competition will go ahead at the Fort Worth Convention Center from January 23–25, but with flexible options for participants. “While we have not canceled any events due to weather, we are actively communicating with coaches and teams about flexible options, including the ability to compete at a virtual competition in lieu of NCA Nationals or competing one day only. Our goal is to help ensure everyone’s safety while maintaining the integrity of the competition,” the competition stated on its website.

The looming storm’s reach extends far beyond Texas. According to Newsweek, states most vulnerable to extended school closures include Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, northern Mississippi, northern Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Closures could begin as soon as Friday, with the potential to spread to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by early next week. One-day closures on Monday, January 26, are possible in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Kentucky. If the storm shifts north, even Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts could see disruptions.

The greatest concern, meteorologists warn, is the ice. Accumulating ice could down power lines and trees, leading to widespread and prolonged outages. “Some schools could close for days after the ice storm causes widespread power outages,” Bob Larson told Newsweek. In some cases, closures may last well beyond the storm itself, as communities struggle to restore electricity and clear roads. The Canyon Independent School District in Texas has already moved a basketball game earlier on Friday to avoid the worst of the weather, a small but telling sign of the broader adjustments underway.

Forecasts from the National Weather Service are sobering. “Confidence is high for a significant winter storm for the region Saturday into Sunday,” NWS Baltimore posted on X. “Significant travel delays, closures, and threats to life and property are becoming increasingly likely. Now is the time to plan to minimize impact on you and your family.”

Winter storm watches have been issued across a growing swath of states, with more expected as the system approaches. The NWS forecast for Friday reads: “Heading into Friday, a low pressure system will continue to dig into southwestern U.S. and will eject into the Plains, promoting cyclogenesis, frontal development, and southerly return flow. This will bring a significant winter storm that will produce heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies/Plains and Mid-South into the East Coast. With the extreme cold temperatures, expect prolonged snow and ice impacts, which may include hazardous travel conditions, power outages, tree damages, snow-covered roads, and reduced visibility.”

For North Texas specifically, FOX 4 forecasters warn of a transition from cold rain to a wintry mix starting Friday evening, with sleet and snow expected to blanket the area through Saturday night. Areas north of Dallas-Fort Worth, such as Sherman and Paris, could see sleet beginning after 2 p.m. Friday, shifting to snow by Saturday. The DFW Metroplex is forecast to experience sleet late Friday into Saturday morning, ending as snow Saturday night. South of DFW, cities like Waco and Killeen should prepare for freezing rain after 10 p.m. Friday, changing to sleet by early Saturday.

Officials and meteorologists alike are urging residents to stay alert and prepared. With the storm’s exact path and severity still subject to change, local authorities and school districts are advising families to monitor updates and make contingency plans. As the region steels itself for what could be the most disruptive winter event in years, the message is clear: safety comes first, and flexibility is key.

With so many moving parts and the potential for severe, lingering impacts, North Texas and neighboring states are on high alert. Whether it’s canceled events, rescheduled games, or emergency preparations, the coming days will test the resilience and adaptability of communities across the storm’s path.