Updated at 7:10 p.m. Feb. 23: This story has been updated to included the latest information.

Icy road conditions, facility closures and limited city services are all affecting the North Texas region as a winter storm warning remains in place.

Temperatures have continued to drop through the week as freezing rain and sleet accumulated across North Texas, causing a number of car accidents. Regional officials are asking residents to remain cautious and avoid driving if possible.

A winter weather warning will likely remain in place across the Dallas-Fort Worth area through 6 p.m. Feb. 24, according to the National Weather Service. The warning states the weather includes a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet with possible ice accumulation from one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch.

According to the weather service, road conditions are expected to continue to worsen and will likely not improve until the late afternoon of Feb. 24. Conditions are expected to fully clear by late in the afternoon on Feb. 25.


Gov. Greg Abbott, in a Feb. 22 release, ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the readiness of the State Emergency Operations Center in preparation of weather conditions expected to affect parts of Texas throughout the week.

The Texas Department of Transportation stated in a Feb. 22 announcement it has deployed crews to put down brine at bridges and overpasses across DFW. It is also asking drivers to keep an eye out for these crews and give them plenty of space.

Matt Bishop, meteorologist with the weather service, said the cold front will be somewhat similar to the one from earlier this month but it will be a bit drier and not quite as cold. He said the weather service is expecting the freezing rain and sleet across the DFW area to last until temperatures begin to rise throughout the day on Feb. 25.

“[The roads] may not be quite ready for driving Friday morning,” Bishop said Feb. 22. “It should melt and dry by Friday afternoon.”


Numerous public safety departments were reporting accidents across the North Texas region as of midday Feb. 23.
  • Around 9 a.m., the Frisco Police Department reported via social media it is responding to multiple crashes across the city.
  • The McKinney Police Department reported an eight-vehicle crash on US 380 on Feb. 23 and stated it is working on multiple accidents citywide, according to the department's Twitter account.
  • In Plano, crews with the Plano Public Works Department began spreading sand on city roads on Feb. 23 to help with drivability due to freezing temperatures and rain. Plano staff said there had already been reports of trees and tree limbs falling on Feb. 23, much like crews dealt with during the winter storm earlier this month.
  • As of 10 a.m. Feb. 23, the Richardson Police Department stated via social media it is working multiple wrecks and is asking residents to work from home if possible.
  • The Fort Worth Police Department has asked residents to drive with caution and look out for frozen precipitation on bridges and overpasses, according to the department's official Twitter account.
  • Grapevine police stated via Twitter on the morning of Feb. 23 that roads and side streets remain drivable but motorists should remain cautious on highways and bridges.
Wednesday afternoon, Lewisville police reported an accident on I-35E North at Justin Road with traffic backed up from Valley Ridge Boulevard and asked residents to avoid the area.

According to a Feb. 22 release, Dallas Area Rapid Transit will offer limited services on Feb. 23 and will continue to monitor the weather conditions throughout the week.

As of Feb. 23, no mass power outages had been reported across North Texas. Most schools across the region were open Feb. 23 but by late in the day, many had announced that classes were canceled for Feb. 24. Collin College reported classes were canceled for the remainder of Feb. 23 and all of Feb. 24.

Due to the storm, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport are reporting hundreds of flight cancelations across various airlines. Travelers are advised to check with their individual airline about the status of their flight before heading to the airport.


The Salvation Army of North Texas in a Feb. 23 release stated that it will open warming centers across the region that will provide shelter, warm meals and more to those in need. In Collin County, the Plano shelter is located at 3528 E. 14th St. The McKinney shelter is at 600 Wilson Creek Parkway. The Denton County shelter can be found at 206 W. Main St. in Lewisville. The Dallas County shelter is located in Garland at 451 West Avenue D. Two shelters are in Tarrant County, one is located at 3023 NW 24th St. in Fort Worth and the other is at 712 W. Abram St. in Arlington. More information can be found on the Salvation Army of North Texas website.

The latest road conditions can be seen at www.drivetexas.org. Weather updates can be found on the NWS website.