The National Weather Service has issued a
WINTER STORM WARNING for the following counties in North Texas: 

GRAYSON-DENTON-COLLIN-PARKER-TARRANT-DALLAS-ROCKWALL-ERATH-HOOD-SOMERVELL-JOHNSON-COMANCHE. 

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF SHERMAN, DENISON, DENTON,
LEWISVILLE, FLOWER MOUND, THE COLONY, PLANO, WEATHERFORD, FORT WORTH, ARLINGTON, DALLAS, ROCKWALL,
STEPHENVILLE, DUBLIN, GRANBURY, GLEN ROSE, CLEBURNE, BURLESON, COMANCHE, DE LEON.

Rain and thunderstorms will move into the DFW area no later than midnight.
Shortly after midnight, the coldest Polar front yet this season will blast into the DFW area.
Withing a few hours, possibly near daybreak, temperatures will fall to near freezing.
After daybreak, expect light freezing rain, changing to sleet, then snow with a combined accumulation of 2″ possible before ending late Tuesday, Feb. 1. Snowfall northwest of a line from Abilene to Gainesville could reach near blizzard conditions early tomorrow morning with more rapid accumulations and an increasing likelyhood of power interruptions.
Prepare for bitter cold with overnight temperatures in the low to mid teens and wind chills at or below zero at night.
With the gusty winds and potential ice accumulations, be prepare for scattered power outages anywhere in North Texas from Monday night through Thursday.
Protect plants, pets and pipes.
Top off your car with fuel to prevent moisture which could cause fuel lines to freeze.
Make sure your car has adequate anti-freeze protection, not just water in the radiator.
Take extra safety precautions if using electric or gas space heaters for supplemental heating. Unvented gas space heaters should not be used at night.

WINTER STORM WATCH in effect from Monday night, 1/31 through Tuesday, 2/1 for a mix of FREEZING RAIN, SLEET and SNOW ending by Tuesday night.
It will be bitter cold with temperatures below freezing for close to 72 hours.
Today, Mostly Cloudy, Storms late 56/32
Tuesday, Windy, Bitter cold, Mixed Precip, 32/14
Wednesday, Mostly Cloudy, 26/16
Thursday, Sunny, 31
Friday, Light Snow Possible, 35
Super Bowl Weekend looks okay.
Plan on high power consumption and use extra caution with space heaters.

A disturbance near Idaho and a storm system offshore of California will combine in the Rockies and Plains Monday, then spin around each other in Texas and Oklahoma Tuesday, February 1, eventually ejecting both eastward through the Ozarks late Wednesday.
Here in the DFW area, we expect lightning, thunder and up to an inch of rain late Monday through Tuesday. East and southeast of us, the storms could become severe on either side of the Louisiana border.
Now, the rest of the story.
While those storm systems dance around each other, the most intense Polar high to reach North America yet this winter will be blasting through Texas with sub-freezing cold and wind-chills in the teens….
in Harlingen.
Here, it will be brutal.

Most of the rain will fall as rain Monday night and Tuesday morning. It will be cold, miserable and very windy, but it will probably stay liquid through 8AM Tuesday. But the last quarter-inch of it may fall as freezing rain and sleet at midday, changing over to snow before ending Tuesday night. Once we’re done with that, we will still have another 24 hours of howling winds that won’t settle down until Wednesday night.
Overnight lows Tuesday and Wednesday will drop into the teens with wind-chills possibly near zero. You will not want to be outside Tuesday or Wednesday.
Considering the intense nature of this coming weather event, I’d suggest you top off your tank, secure any loose objects outside your house and prepare for scattered power outages in case the ice is worse than currently forecast.

Enjoy Friday and Saturday’s unseasonably warm and dry weather.
Sunday and Monday could have scattered showers.
Tuesday night could have some ice and snow..bears watching.
Today, Sunny, 71/42
Saturday, Partly Cloudy, 70/47
Sunday, Showers, 56
Monday, Possible Showers 58
Tuesday, Windy, 30′s and falling

TRAVEL ALERT: Power restoration underway for 250,000 to 500,000 power customers between Washington and New York following yesterday’s powerful winter storm.
JFK International shut down through 8A EST.
Newark International closed through 12P EST.
Thankfully, our weather locally is spectacular for the next few days.
Today, Sunny, 64/37
Friday, Sunny, 70/40
Saturday, Partly Cloudy, 67/44
Sunday, Rain mainly southeast 58
Monday, Cloudy, Showers, 59

TRAVELER’S WEATHER WARNING:
A significant winter storm will swirl through the Washington/Baltimore area this morning and spread through Philadelphia and New York tonight.
Gusty winds, icing and snow will slow air travel in the big Northeastern metro hubs this afternoon and tonight. Call your individual airline for updates.
Here in DFW, mild weather with a dry warming trend through Saturday.
Today, Sunny, 58/30
Thursday, Sunny, 60/36
Friday, Sunny, 67/40
Saturday, Partly Cloudy, 68
Sunday, Cloudy, Sct’d Showers, 60

Sprinkles mainly north this morning.
Mild and dry through Saturday.
Today, Partly Cloudy, 52/30
Wednesday, Sunny, 60/33
Thursday, Partly Cloudy, 57
Friday, Mostly Sunny, 65
Saturday, Partly Cloudy, 62

Quiet weather for North Texas most of this week.
Today, Mostly Sunny, 55/30
Tuesday, Cloudy, Rain East, 52/29
Wednesday, Clearing, 55
Thursday, Sunny, 56
Friday, Mostly Sunny, 66
TRAVELER’S NOTE: A storm now forming on the Texas coast will spread heavy rains eastward along the Gulf coast through Northern Florida. As it tracks up the Eastern seaboard, wind-driven rains will change to snow from Washington, DC through Philadelphia, New York and especially Boston Wednesday through Friday.

Generally quiet through the weekend.
Weak upper level disturbances from the Northwest will pass through North Texas every few days, but generally with no rain and just routine cold fronts.
Today, Mostly Sunny, 48/28
Saturday, Partly Cloudy, 56/36
Sunday, Morning Showers mainly East, 53/28
Monday, Sunny, 52

ICING IS POSSIBLE IN NORTH TEXAS TODAY.
A weak upper air disturbance is coming through just ahead of a strong cold front.
Even though local temperatures will drop below freezing at mid-morning, light spotty precip in the form of drizzle and light rain will continue through mid-afternoon, leaving a few hours light rain during sub-freezing conditions.
Sparse moisture and gusty north winds will tend to keep surface streets relatively dry, but could aggravated light icing conditions on bridges and overpasses.
Today, Windy, Colder, Light Freezing Rain, Temps falling through the 30′s / 20
Friday, Sunny, 45/25
Saturday, Sunny, 53/33
Sunday, Light Rain, 51

Ideal weather today.
Rainy, windy and colder tomorrow.
There is a very slight chance that tomorrow’s rain will change to freezing rain or sleet before ending tomorrow afternoon, especially if the cold front is earlier or the rainfall comes later.
Today, Mostly Sunny, 57/40
Thursday, Windy, Rainy, 30′s/20
Friday, Clearing, 48/28
Saturday, Sunny, 55

Morning sprinkles. Windy and cooler this afternoon.
Today, Clearing, Windy, 54/30
Wednesday, PtCldy, Breezy, 55/43
Thursday, Rainy, Windy, Colder, 43/25
Friday, Clearing, 50
Saturday, Sunny, 54
Rain could mix with sleet or snow before ending Thursday night.

Warmer, drier weather through Midweek.
Rainy, windy and colder Thursday.
Today, Mostly Cloudy, 60/40
Tuesday, Clearing, 55
Wednesday, Sunny, 60
Thursday, Rainy, Windy, 47
Friday, Clearing, 46
Freezing precip could reach the Red River Valley Thursday night.
Whether icy weather affects DFW is a matter of timing yet to be resolved.

Warmer and wetter this weekend.
Today, Mostly Cloudy, 45/33
Saturday, Cloudy, Rain late 49/40
Sunday, Sct’d Showers, 53/40
Monday, Clearing, 60
Tuesday, Windy, 40′s

Warming trend begins today.
Rain begins this weekend.
Today, Partly Cloudy, 42/28
Friday, Increasing Clouds, 47/37
Saturday, Mostly Cloudy 53 (Rain late)
Sunday, Scattered Showers, 57

Cold weather continues through tomorrow.
Rain is expected late this weekend.
Today, Partly Cloudy, 33/19
Thursday, Sunny to Partly Cloudy, 43/28
Friday, Partly Cloudy, 48
Saturday, Mostly Cloudy, Rain possible late, 52
Sunday, Showers- heaviest east 57

Bitter wind chills in the Teens today, tonight and tomorrow morning.
Winds will be strongest today, but temperatures will remain much colder than normal through Wednesday.
Today, Clearing, Windy, 36/19
Wednesday, Partly Cloudy, 38/22
Thursday, Mostly Sunny 45/30
Friday, Partly Cloudy 50
Saturday, Scattered Showers, 56

Again, PLEASE TAKE PROPER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WITH SPACE HEATERS!

Winter Weather Advisory through 9AM for patchy freezing fog, drizzle and flurries that will result in thin, patchy ice on some bridges and overpasses. Otherwise..
Today, Cloudy, 36/20
Tuesday, Clearing, Windy, 38/18
Wednesday, Partly Cloudy, 38/22
(Flurries possible Wed. night)
Thursday, Clearing, 40′s
Friday, Partly Cloudy, 50′s
Be safe through this cold spell. Follow space-heater safety precautions to the letter.
See previous blogs.

Snow amounts of 5″ in Allen and McKinney to a dusting in Fort Worth.
Today’s winter weather event is over.
Freezing drizzle is expected between 12A and 12P Monday while temperatures are generally below freezing. However, we expect less than a quarter-inch of precipitation and that should be enough to avoid most widespread problems getting work or school Monday morning.
We still expect sharply below-normal temperatures this coming week:
Highs in the 30′s / Lows in the 20′s.
See heater safety tips in the previous blog.

The National Weather Service has downgraded the Winter Storm Watch to an Advisory in the DFW area today for less anticipated snow.
Temperatures are still in the Upper 30′s at 9AM and not expected to fall to freezing until most of the rain has passed our area after 3PM today.
The cold air we’re concerned about today is actually ‘backing in’ from the Ozarks.
Northeast Texas is already experiencing a mix of sleet, rain and snow from Texarkana to Sherman-Denison, Paris, Bonham, Greenville and Sulphur Springs.
Those areas are under a Winter Storm Warning for hazardous accumulations of snow and ice on bridges and overpasses today and tonight.
While most of the rain in DFW will end before temperatures drop below freezing, not all of it will.
We expect light rain and freezing drizzle to linger in many areas overnight through tomorrow morning.
By then, the cold air from the Ozarks will be here and we are expecting patches of ice on bridges and overpasses between dark tonight and midday Monday.
Still colder Arctic air will sweep into North Texas Monday night, scouring out the moisture and leaving us with cold days and even colder nights through the end of this week.
See my previous blog for important safety information.

The National Weather Service expanded the Winter Storm Watch for Northeast Texas to include the DFW area as far west as Wise, Parker, Hood and Somervell counties.
Significant snowfall of 3-5″ could begin to accumulate on bridges and overpasses Sunday afternoon.
Plan on travel hazards Monday morning as our lows will be in the mid 20′s and moisture remaining on bridges and overpasses will become patchy ice.

Rain begins Saturday night.
Expect gradual changeover to snow Sunday.
1-3″ of melting snowfall possible in DFW Metro area ending Sunday night with patchy ice possible on bridges and overpasses Monday morning (Low near 26).
Winter Storm Watch issued for Northeast Texas east of a line from Bonham through Rockwall to Canton where 3-6″ of accumulating snowfall is expected Sunday through Monday morning.
Sunday’s snow will precede Monday’s Arctic cold front which will leave DFW with Highs in the 30′s, Lows in the Teens and 20′s much of next week.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
Be especially careful with electric space heaters. They must be well clear of drapes, curtains and bed linens. Do not use household extension cords with space heaters. Rule of thumb: If you can’t walk between the space heater and the bed, or between the space heater and the curtains, IT IS TOO CLOSE and could cause a fire. Also, set the temperature control on “High” only when you are still awake and able to keep an eye on it. Turn down the space heater to “Medium” or “Low” when you go to bed.
Gas space heaters must be showing a blue flame only, no orange or yellow in the flame. Leave at least one window slightly open somewhere in your home to allow ventilation at night. Unvented gas space heaters should turned off when you go to bed.
Gas stoves and fireplaces can also cause Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
Under no circumstances should you use an outdoor charcoal grill inside your home for supplemental heat.

It appears the storm system currently in SoCal will track between Austin and Waco Sunday…close enough to reach marginally cold temperatures in the Northeast corner of the state. We will have already received a routine ‘back-door’ cold front from the Ozarks and Eastern Oklahoma by then, with temperatures falling slowly through the 30′s on Sunday.

At some point, the lift and moisture in the Pacific storm system will cause precip to fall into the lower layers of the atmosphere which by then, will be near freezing.

We expect to see rain, mixed-with or changing-to snow Sunday afternoon anywhere North of Hillsboro.

Measurable snowfall is possible in our northern counties, Montague, Cooke, Grayson, Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt.
It is too early to say whether we will have any serious travel problems Monday morning. If Sunday’s temperature forecasts track colder and the storm system tracks farther north, be prepared for any range of possibilities.
For now, it appears to be a close call with ‘visible’ snow but not much ‘measurable’ snow.
And a reminder, the week of January 10 will be much colder than normal with Highs in the 30′s, Lows in the 20′s, possibly teens (but generally dry).

Today, Partly Cloudy, 65/35
Saturday, Cloudy, Rain late, 57/39
Sunday, Rainy, Colder, 42/32
Monday, Cloudy, Windy, 41/32
Tuesday, Partly Cloudy, 33
Latest computer models indicate a slight chance of mixed precipitation late Sunday.
Precip should end before surface temperatures drop to freezing Sunday night.
Plan on unusually cold, but not record cold temperatures most of next week.
Highs in the 30′s. Lows in the 20′s. Mostly dry through the week.

Warmer than normal through Friday.
Rain late Saturday into Sunday could end as mixed precipitation Sunday night.
Still cold next week- Highs in the 30′s / Lows in the 20′s.
Today, Sunny, 63/38
Tomorrow, Mostly Sunny, 67/39
Saturday, Cloudy, Rain late, 55/38
Sunday, Rain, Colder, 44/30
Monday, Cloudy, Breezy, 41/20′s

Mild and dry through Friday.
Rain Saturday. Colder next week.
Today, Mostly Sunny, 60/38
Thursday, Mostly Sunny, 61/39
Friday, Partly Cloudy, 62/38
Saturday, Rain-Tstorms, 55
Sunday, Cloudy, Cooler, 47
We are still predicting a prolonged cold wave affecting most of the Continental U.S. next week.
Mid-range forecast models have finally begun to ease their extreme temperature forecasts, but the main idea is intact:
Noticeably colder than normal conditions in North Texas with highs in the 30s, lows in the Teens and 20s much of next week.
Precipitation outlook is uncertain but leaning in favor of generally dry weather next week.
Expect additional changes in this outlook day-to-day. 
Watch out for a possible second surge of cold air around January 15.

Enjoy our mild and dry weather through at least Friday of this week.
Today, Partly Cloudy, 53/33
Wednesday, Partly Cloudy, 57/34
Thursday, Sunny, 60/37
Friday, Mostly Sunny, 62
Saturday, Mostly Cloudy, 61
There are now strong indications that Arctic air will invade most of the Continental U.S. early next week.
The prolonged cold wave should reach North Texas on Tuesday, the 11th.
It appears mostly dry, but bitterly cold from next Wednesday through the following Sunday.
Highs could be no warmer than the 20s with lows in the teens, possibly single digits.
We have about a week to prepare for these unusually cold temperatures by wrapping exposed pipes, filling cracks in windows and doors, insulating exterior walls, etc.
Also make sure your car’s service is up to date with a strong battery and adequate anti-freeze.

Mild weather this week.
Today, Mostly Sunny, Breezy, 58/39
Tuesday, Increasing Clouds, 54/34
Wednesday, Mostly Cloudy, 60/38
Thursday, Mostly Sunny, 61
Friday, Mostly Sunny, 59
As previously noted, medium-range forecast models are signalling a prolonged cold spell reaching North Texas sometime next week.
How cold, how wet and other details are unclear. Stay tuned.

2010 will be remembered for record snowfall, February 11-12 and Tropical Storm Hermine, September 7-8.
The heaviest 24-hour snowfall was over 14″ at Haslet in Northern Tarrant County. DFW Airport set a new 24-hour snowfall record of 12.5 inches. And with several other snows, DFW received a a total of 17.1 inches of snow for the entire winter, which was just barely under the 1977-78 total of 17.6. The winter of 2009-10 is now the second ‘snowiest’ on record.
The only other major weather event was Tropical Storm Hermine in early September. It produced flooding rains as it moved up the I-35 corridor. There was at least one flooding death in Johnson County South of Fort Worth and numerous high-water rescues in Arlington and Mansfield on the morning of September 8.
Then, after the worst of the flooding began to subside, Hermine gave birth to a swarm of tornadoes starting at Benbrook that afternoon. Another one popped up at Ferris, another at Seagoville, then a stronger F-2 tornado developed in West Dallas, swirled across the Trinity River, collapsed part of a building on Irving Boulevard and dissipated near Love Field.
Here’s a link to NWS Graphic on 2010 weather highlights:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/?n=2010retrospective

In the words of the famous detective, Columbo….’just one other thing…’
The blocking high between Newfoundland and Greenland that has brought such winter misery to the East Coast and Western Europe…may be about to start drifting West before the second week of January. Millions of travelers missed Christmas with their families, stuck in airports for most of a week. Atlanta had its first white Christmas in over a century and about one-third of the Florida citrus crop was damaged or destroyed.
If that blocking high backs up to the West, we in North Texas could start getting what they got. The odds are against it and it’s still probably at least 10 days away if it happens at all, but I thought you ought to know.