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By Joe Edwards
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A huge swath of Texas could be hit by a winter storm this weekend, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS).
Winter storm watches—issued by the agency "when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather"—span northern, central, western and eastern portions of the state as of early Wednesday morning.
The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said in an update on Tuesday that an "expansive" winter storm is expected to dump a track of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies, Plains, and Mid-South beginning Friday, shifting toward the East Coast through the weekend. The WPC also warned that "extreme" cold in the storm’s wake could extend snow and ice impacts.
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In an alert for all of North and Central Texas, the NWS said moderate to heavy snow, ice, or sleet accumulations are likely Friday through Saturday night. "Dangerously cold" temperatures are also expected Saturday through Monday morning, it added.
"Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become dangerous. Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause power outages," the agency said. "Extreme cold will become life-threatening and likely damage unprotected pipes and put livestock at risk."
For North and Central Texas, an NWS spokesperson told Newsweek on Wednesday that "this will be our first substantial winter weather event for this season.
"Exact snowfall or ice totals are still a bit uncertain at this time, but we are expecting impacts to travel and infrastructure beginning Friday through early this upcoming week," they said.
Southwest and Western Texas could see similar effects, according to a winter storm watch in place for the region for Friday afternoon through late Sunday night.
For the South Plains, Rolling Plains, and the far southern Texas Panhandle, the NWS said that heavy mixed precipitation is likely, with snow and sleet accumulations above 4 inches possible, along with ice accumulations above one-10th of an inch from Friday afternoon through early Sunday.
"Travel could be extremely difficult," said the agency. "The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute."
Northern Texas could see up to 6 inches or more of snow, according to the NWS, which warned that commutes Friday through Sunday could be impacted.
All of West-Central Texas could see "moderate to heavy" snow, sleet or ice Friday through Saturday, the NWS said, along with dangerously cold temperatures Saturday night through Sunday morning.
"This will be the first winter storm of the season for West Central Texas. Temperatures have been well above normal this winter season," NWS San Angelo told Newsweek Wednesday.
"As far as impacts, this winter storm will likely be the most impactful since the historical mid-February 2021 storm that hit on Valentine's Day with 10 inches of snowfall, blowing snow and blizzard conditions. Temperatures at that time fell below freezing for six to nine days, with a couple days of temperatures of 1 to 4 below zero.
"Impacts with this winter storm are expected to be different, but potentially as intense as the February 2021 winter storm...with several inches of sleet, over 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain. All with temperatures in the single digits and teens."
Across the Texas Panhandle, as well as the Panhandle of Oklahoma, the NWS also said between 5 and 10 inches of heavy snow is possible. It warned of "very cold wind chills Friday with low teens to single digits most of the day," and negative wind chills Friday night into Saturday morning.
"Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve," the NWS added. "If you must go outside, dress in layers."
East and Northeast Texas could see up to 8 inches of snow and sleet, as well as up to 0.5 inches of ice, according to the NWS.
Update, 01/21/2026, 12:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the NWS.
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