Winter Storm Fern Bears Down: Major Snow, Ice, and Power Outage Risks Hit Dallas and the South This Weekend

Dallas, TX – January 21, 2026 – A powerful winter storm named Winter Storm Fern is rapidly intensifying and is set to deliver a rare and potentially dangerous mix of heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and damaging ice across the Southern Plains, including North Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth, starting Friday, January 23, and continuing through the weekend into Sunday, January 25.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Fort Worth/Dallas has issued a Winter Storm Watch effective from noon Friday through 6 a.m. Sunday for much of North and Central Texas. Forecasters warn of “impactful” wintry precipitation, treacherous travel conditions, threats to power lines and infrastructure, and dangerously cold temperatures that could linger below freezing for extended periods.

Key Forecast Highlights for Dallas and North Texas

• Timing: Wintry mix (freezing rain, sleet, transitioning to snow) likely begins Friday afternoon/evening (January 23), with heaviest accumulations possible Saturday.
• Accumulations: Models suggest 3-5 inches of snow and ice combined in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, with higher totals possible in spots. Ice accretion could reach levels that down power lines and tree branches.
• Temperatures: Arctic air plunges in Friday, dropping lows into the teens to low 20s (°F), with highs staying in the 20s through the weekend—well below normal and creating refreeze risks overnight.
• Impacts: Hazardous roads (especially bridges and overpasses), potential widespread power outages lasting days, school closures likely early next week, and risks to pipes, pets, and plants. Travel disruptions could be severe—forecasters urge avoiding non-essential trips.

The Weather Channel has officially named this system Winter Storm Fern, describing it as a “major, widespread winter storm” with a “perfect setup” for significant winter weather. The storm is expected to affect over 150 million people across two dozen states, stretching from Texas and Oklahoma through the Southeast, Mid-South, and into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

In the Dallas area, precipitation may start as rain before switching to a dangerous freezing rain/ice mix, then sleet and snow. The greatest ice threat includes parts of central Texas northward, potentially overlapping with Dallas-Fort Worth and leading to “crippling” conditions in some scenarios.

Broader U.S. Outlook

• Heavy snow more prominent farther north (e.g., Tennessee, Kentucky, parts of the Mid-Atlantic).
• Damaging ice and freezing rain highest across the Deep South (Texas to Mississippi/Alabama).
• Extreme cold follows the storm, with potential multi-day power issues and travel chaos along major corridors like I-95.

Meteorologists emphasize preparation: Stock up on essentials, protect pipes by dripping faucets, charge devices, and have backup heat sources ready. This could rank among the most significant winter events for the region in recent years, with comparisons to past disruptive storms.

For the latest updates, check official sources:

• National Weather Service: weather.gov (search your local office, e.g., FWD for Dallas/Fort Worth)
• The Weather Channel: weather.com
• Local outlets like NBC 5, FOX 4, or WFAA for Dallas-specific alerts.

Stay tuned—forecasts may shift slightly, but confidence is high in major winter impacts this weekend. Stay safe and prepare now! 

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