WINTER STORM WATCH DECLARED FOR ALL OF EAST TEXAS AHEAD OF SIGNIFICANT ICING
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the entirety of East Texas, with significant icing, sleet, and snow expected to impact the region from Thursday evening through Saturday morning. Residents across a broad area, including Cherokee, Smith, Upshur, Wood, Nacogdoches, Angelina, Jasper, and Newton counties, are urged to prepare for hazardous conditions.
Light freezing rain and drizzle are forecast to begin developing in western East Texas Thursday afternoon and evening, gradually spreading eastward. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 20s throughout this initial phase.
The heaviest precipitation is anticipated overnight Thursday into Friday, especially for areas north of Interstate 20 (I-20), such as Gregg County and the Longview area. During this period, a potent mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow will intensify, with heavy precipitation possible.
Most locations could see between 0.10 and 0.30 inches of ice accumulation. However, communities north of I-20 could experience half an inch or more of ice, in addition to one to two inches of sleet or snow. These accumulations are significant enough to cause widespread issues.
The National Weather Service warns of several major impacts, including extremely hazardous travel conditions, potential for widespread power outages, and tree damage due to ice accumulation. Temperatures will remain below freezing from Thursday afternoon straight through Saturday afternoon. Friday morning will bring dangerously cold wind chills, potentially near zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Precipitation is expected to taper off from west to east on Friday afternoon. However, the bitter cold will persist, with temperatures dropping into the teens and low 20s Friday night into Saturday morning. This prolonged freeze will create a high risk for black ice on roadways, even after precipitation ends. Conditions are not expected to rise above freezing until Saturday afternoon.
Local authorities advise residents to secure outdoor items, have emergency supplies on hand, and avoid non-essential travel once conditions deteriorate. Stay informed about the latest forecasts and road conditions by monitoring local media and the National Weather Service at weather.gov.
