As a multi-day winter system moved into North Texas on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, sleet and freezing precipitation spread across the region, driving officials to extend a winter-storm warning through noon Sunday and issue an extreme cold warning from Saturday through Monday. The storm prompted mass travel disruptions—more than 1,000 flights had already been canceled at DFW and Dallas Love Field by Friday—and forced schools, government offices and businesses to announce closures. Local emergency teams opened warming shelters and prioritized outreach to people experiencing homelessness as temperatures plunged; a sustained thaw is not expected until early next week, with Monday daytime highs near 27°F and overnight lows near 8°F.
Key takeaways
- The winter-storm warning for North Texas was extended through noon Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026; an extreme cold warning covers Saturday through Monday.
- Flight disruptions: as of 2:15 p.m. Saturday, FlightAware reported 1,373 cancellations and 153 delays at DFW and 191 cancellations with 17 delays at Dallas Love Field.
- Power outages: Oncor reported roughly 7,000 customers without power in Tarrant County (2:15 p.m. report) and earlier noted nearly 280 outages statewide affecting more than 14,800 customers midday Saturday.
- Road safety: Dallas police logged 57 nonfatal crashes since midnight; major incidents included multi-18-wheeler crashes on I-20 that temporarily closed westbound lanes.
- Public response: Fair Park emergency warming shelter housed about 800 guests Friday night; Dallas Animal Services reported 92 pets fostered during the storm.
- Service suspensions: DoorDash paused delivery and pickup across DFW until at least Sunday; DART warned riders to expect delays and running shuttle buses on affected rail segments.
- Precipitation: forecasters expect 1–3 inches of combined sleet and snow across much of DFW, with isolated higher sleet totals—Grayson County could see up to nearly 4 inches.
Background
Winter systems that combine sleet, freezing rain and snow pose special hazards in regions like North Texas where infrastructure and driving patterns are less accustomed to sustained subfreezing conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) Fort Worth office issued warnings as a warm layer aloft interacting with colder air near the surface created mixed precipitation types—conditions that can quickly glaze roads and bridges with black ice. Past multi-day Texas winter events have produced widespread power disruptions and multi-vehicle pileups; agencies across the region say they are mobilizing personnel and equipment in anticipation.
Local governments, school districts and private businesses typically weigh forecasts, road conditions and utility status when deciding closures; this storm prompted large school districts and county offices to preemptively cancel Monday operations. Major service providers—airlines, delivery platforms, utilities and transit agencies—activated contingency plans. Municipal emergency-management teams emphasized minimizing nonessential travel and prioritizing warming resources for people without reliable shelter.
Main event
Through Saturday afternoon, sleet and light snow fell in pockets across the metroplex while many road surfaces froze. TxDOT crews and city transportation departments were treating bridges, overpasses and known trouble spots, but officials repeatedly urged residents to stay home unless travel was essential. Dallas Fire-Rescue and police described roads growing increasingly icy; small slips in vehicles or on sidewalks were already producing injuries and fender-benders.
Air travel ground to a near-halt at times: by midafternoon FlightAware data showed 1,373 cancellations at DFW and substantial cancellations at Love Field, compounding earlier reports that more than 1,000 flights had been canceled as of Friday. Airport officials and airlines advised travelers to check carrier apps for waivers and rebooking options; federal guidance on refunds for canceled flights was reiterated for consumers.
Utility companies reported scattered but significant outages. Oncor’s situational updates identified Tarrant County as a hotspot with roughly 7,000 customers affected in the 2:15 p.m. update; other counties reported outages in the low thousands. Crews were deployed statewide—Oncor said it had more than 10,000 lineworkers, evaluators and contractors staged for restoration work.
On the ground, emergency shelters and outreach expanded. Dallas opened a warming center at Fair Park, which hosted about 800 people Friday night, and agencies ran transportation to shelters and welfare checks. Dallas Animal Services also stepped up: staff logged roughly 132 service calls by early afternoon and posted that 92 animals had been fostered so far under its “Foster for the Freeze” effort.
Analysis & implications
Mixed winter precipitation—especially sleet and freezing rain—raises three primary risks: rapidly deteriorating road conditions, localized power outages from ice-laden trees and lines, and elevated health risks from extreme cold. For a metro area like Dallas-Fort Worth, even a tenth of an inch of freezing rain can create widespread travel hazards because many motorists and municipal fleets are not equipped for long-duration deicing operations. The forecasted run of single-digit and teen nighttime lows increases the potential for overnight exposures and for residual ice to persist through the workweek.
Economic disruptions are immediate and measurable. Flight cancellations and airport slowdowns ripple through business travel and tourism; the 1,373 DFW cancellations and hundreds more at Love Field will affect supply chains, employee schedules and local hospitality revenue. Retailers and restaurants face uneven impacts—some closed or shortened hours, others operating at reduced capacity depending on staff and power availability—resulting in pronounced revenue shifts for weekend business dependent on weekend traffic.
Public services and emergency-response capacity are being tested. While agencies pre-staged crews and opened warming centers, prolonged outages or additional major accidents could strain response resources. The concentration of outages in Tarrant County and scattered pockets elsewhere suggests restoration timelines may vary significantly by neighborhood, which has equity implications for low-income communities and people who are unhoused.
Looking ahead, the timing of precipitation transitions (sleet to snow or to freezing rain) will determine whether impacts worsen or begin to abate. Officials’ forecasts show a lull in daytime precipitation with renewed, more widespread sleet and snow Saturday night into Sunday; if temperatures fall faster than forecast, freezing rain and heavier icing could materialize in some corridors, extending travel and utility disruptions into early next week.
Comparison & data
| Metric | Reported value (Sat) |
|---|---|
| DFW cancellations/delays | 1,373 cancellations, 153 delays (2:15 p.m.) |
| Love Field cancellations/delays | 191 cancellations, 17 delays |
| Oncor outages (Tarrant) | ~7,000 customers (2:15 p.m.) |
| Statewide outages (midday) | ~280 outages affecting >14,800 customers |
| Forecast sleet/snow | 1–3 inches typical; up to ~4 inches in parts of Grayson County |
The table above consolidates public operational numbers reported throughout Saturday. Flight counts are from FlightAware tracking snapshots; Oncor outage figures are from company updates; precipitation forecasts are from the National Weather Service Fort Worth office. These snapshots will evolve as restoration crews work and as winter precipitation changes phases overnight.
Reactions & quotes
Officials and community members expressed concern and urged caution as conditions worsened.
This is only day one of a multi-day winter event for Dallas. While conditions are stable for us now, the most significant impacts may still be ahead.
Kevin Oden, Director, Dallas Office of Emergency Management
Oden’s statement accompanied a city update on active treatment of bridges and expanded shelter operations. Officials emphasized prepositioning crews rather than declaring the event over.
If you have to get out, go slow, take your time.
Justin Ball, Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief
Chief Ball used the advisory to stress slower driving and staying off the roads when possible; police data showing 57 nonfatal crashes since midnight supported the cautionary message.
Due to hazardous conditions and icy roads brought by this unprecedented winter storm, we’ve activated our Severe Weather Protocol and temporarily suspended operations in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding areas.
Jenn Rosenberg, DoorDash spokesperson
Private-sector service suspensions like DoorDash’s pause illustrate how businesses respond to both safety concerns and driver availability when roads are unsafe.
Unconfirmed
- The precise timing and locations where sleet will transition to snow overnight remain uncertain; forecasts indicate possible transitions but exact zones are not finalized.
- Power-restoration completion times are estimates; utility-provided target windows (for example, Oncor’s estimates) may shift if crews encounter additional damage or access issues.
- Total, final flight cancellation counts for the entire weekend are still evolving as airlines update schedules and recovery plans.
Bottom line
North Texas faced a multi-day winter event that combined sleet, freezing precipitation and extreme cold, producing hazardous travel, widespread service interruptions and urgent sheltering needs. Officials and utilities mobilized resources, but the mixed nature of precipitation and prolonged frigid temperatures mean hazards can persist into early next week.
Residents should avoid nonessential travel, monitor official sources for changing forecasts and outages, and use emergency and warming resources if needed. Travelers with impacted flights should check airline apps for waivers and refund rules, and households should prepare for the possibility of extended outages or limited mobility until temperatures moderate.