A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for Dallas-Fort Worth and much of North Texas. Schools are shut down across the region and slick spots are likely on bridges and overpasses.
“Significant sleet and ice accumulations will result in treacherous driving conditions,” the National Weather Service warned in a statement.
Here’s a look at how the storm is affecting North Texas:
Power
Oncor, the Dallas-based electricity provider, said it’s closely monitoring the cold front.
“Resources and personnel are positioned to ensure any necessary restoration work can begin as soon and as safely as possible,” the company said.
Oncor says to call 911 if you see a downed power line, and to keep people and pets away. Get more information here.
Schools
Many school districts are closed on Thursday, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Arlington, Mansfield, Denton and Duncanville ISDs. Collin College, Dallas College, TCU, the University of North Texas, UT- Dallas, and UT-Arlington are among the colleges closed on Thursday.
However, Paris and Wortham school districts will begin classes two hours late. Canton, Graford, Trinidad and Wortham ISDs open at 10.
Both campuses of Texas Women's University will have virtual learning today. Southern Methodist University is only offering what is called "alternative delivery formats."
Public transit
DART is not operating trains on Thursday. DART bus routes will operate on a Sunday schedule. Riders should expect significant delays, the agency says.
The Trinity Railway Express will operate on a Saturday schedule.
In Tarrant County, Trinity Metro bus routes will run on a modified schedule.
TEXRail will operate on a regular schedule.
In Denton County, the A-train will operate on a Saturday schedule and a warming bus will be available at the Downtown Denton Transit Center.
Roads
The Texas Department of Transportation is urging North Texas drivers to proceed with caution this morning as they head out the door.
Crews are currently treating roadways with a salt-brine mixture for more traction in icy areas.
TxDOT spokesperson Kendall Sloan advised people to stay off the roads as much as possible. If you do need to travel, crews encourage you to stay in the right lane on roadways, she said.
"They treat the right lanes first and those on and off-ramps on our major roadways, and then they move over toward the center lane," said Sloan. "They're seeing too many people driving in the center lanes this morning, and they want to try and discourage that."
As of this morning, Spur 408 at I-20 and Loop 12 is closed due to a major wreck.
Sloan encourages drivers who need to be out on the road to check drivetexas.org for real-time updates.
The National Weather Service says travel conditions should be at their worst until 2 p.m. Thursday. Temperatures above freezing in late afternoon should improve road conditions.
Across Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott has activated additional emergency staff and state resources in response to the winter storm system that stretches from Texas to southern Illinois.
KERA's Justin Martin, Domini Davis, Galilee Abdullah, Rebekah Morr, Ana Perez, Eric Aasen and The Texas Newsroom's Sascha Cordner contributed to this report.
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