McKinney officials are preparing for an arctic cold front that’s expected to hit North Texas on Friday, according to a city news release.
What’s happening?
A winter storm watch is currently in effect for the Dallas-Fort Worth area with sleet expected to begin Friday night, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are forecast to drop as low as 11 or 12 degrees Fahrenheit by Saturday night.
All weather-related updates regarding city services and facilities will be available at www.mckinneytexas.org/weather. Some services and facilities already have modified hours, according to McKinney’s website.
No changes have been proposed to the city’s trash and recycling pickup schedule so far, according to McKinney’s website.
The city’s Public Works staff are fueling and inspecting generators, vehicles and critical equipment that may be needed this weekend. Crews are insulating exposed piping at city facilities, checking heating systems and moving emergency vehicles and equipment indoors, according to the news release.
Staff schedules are being adjusted to ensure crews are on call and ready to respond during the winter event. Public Works staff are planning to apply sand at major intersections throughout McKinney with a focus on hospital entrances to support ambulance access, according to the news release.
Also of note
Two service providers currently host warming stations in McKinney:
More information
Cold temperatures are forecast to begin overnight Friday and continue into Saturday, with temperatures anticipated to drop as low as 11 or 12 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday night. Wind chills overnight Saturday into Sunday could sit between 0 and -10 degrees.
Widespread wintry precipitation is expected throughout Saturday and potentially into Sunday morning. It’s expected to stop by Sunday morning, but melting may not improve until Tuesday.
Staying prepared
With the cold weather coming, the National Weather Service recommends residents:
- Protect outdoor pipes
- Let indoor faucets drip
- Bring pets inside
- Check on neighbors
McKinney residents can track any weather-related updates via the city’s inclement weather website. The website also includes phone numbers for emergency contacts at the city, county and various utility providers.
