Arctic weather updates: North Texas awakens to a second day of dangerous cold, wind chill
North Texans awoke to another day of dangerously cold temperatures Friday after an Arctic blast rolled through North Texas, pushing the wind chill into negative territory and sending 23 people to area hospitals.
“These wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken,” the National Weather Service warned. “Make sure to avoid extended time outdoors if possible, and if you have to brave the cold, then dress in warm, lightweight layers and cover exposed skin.”
The freezing weather will continue through Christmas morning, the forecast states. Temperatures will warm into the 40s by Sunday afternoon.
Snow flurries were reported in Fort Worth on Thursday morning as the weather system slowly moved eastward in a line from Mineral Wells to Decatur. The temperature dropped from 45 degrees at 8 a.m. to 15 degrees by 4 p.m. The wind chill at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport was minus-5 degrees at 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
There were no reports of major weather-related accidents.
Twenty-three people have been taken to area hospitals, two in serious condition, with cold-related illness since 9 a.m. Thursday, MedStar said Friday. The emergency service said it had responded to 27 weather-related calls as of 6 a.m.
Because the cold front swooped in fast and dry, Hunter Reeves of the National Weather Service said the snow did not stick.
“It’d be a different story if the snow was kind of wet, but with how dry everything is and how quickly temperatures are dropping, and with how windy everything is — how we’re getting gusts up to 45 miles per hour, it’d be really difficult for anything to stay on the road right now,” Reeves said.
The light snow continued across the Metroplex into the afternoon.
Winds at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts to 45 mph were expected to continue overnight.
A wind chill watch was in effect from Thursday morning to Friday morning for all North and Central Texas counties, according to the NWS.
For those who need a place to warm up, Fort Worth public libraries and community centers will be open through Friday, according to the city of Fort Worth. Pregame activities were canceled at the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Fans were allowed to bring blankets to the game.
To prevent pipes from bursting, the Texas Department of Insurance recommends Texans wrap all exposed outdoor and indoor pipes, open cabinets under sinks and let faucets drip. Cold temperatures bring a risk of frostbite and hypothermia. MedStar Mobile Healthcare advises those who have to be outdoors to cover their face and mouth and dress in layers of loose-fitting clothing.
Star-Telegram reporters Archiebald Brown and Harriet Ramos contributed to this report.
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