The Lone Star State is starting to see temperatures rise Friday morning, though much of North Texas and the Panhandle are still contending with winter storm conditions.
As of Friday morning, about 2.6 inches of snow have fallen in the DFW airport area; Fort Worth has had the least amount across the region, totaling just under 2 inches.
Tony Hartzel, a Dallas district spokesperson for the Texas Department of Transportation, said the roads in the Dallas area are still fairly passable – but that there could be hotspots.
“Bridges and overpasses could have some ice on them, some black ice. And so we are encouraging the motorist just to stay at home, if at all possible,” he said. “But also just go slow and assume that there could still be ice on the road.
“Our crews were out overnight treating the roads, treating those bridges and overpasses again, either with brine or a sand and salt mixture to keep that traffic moving and keep the ice off the roadways. But that water could refreeze at any time, especially on those elevated structures.”
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Hartzel said crews will continue to treat roads and to use a snow plow in areas where it’s needed.
“We will be out there all day. The temperatures will get above freezing slightly. But of course, tonight those temperatures will go down below freezing again,” he said. “And so we’re going to be out there all day checking for hot spots. And then we’ll be out there again tonight patrolling and treating those spots that do freeze.
“The main message is, of course, as it gets warmer, people are going to assume that it’s okay to drive and drive normal speeds. Yeah, that’s really not the case. Even though the speed limit signs say 70 miles an hour on these highways, it’s always best to slow down and give yourself that time. Even overnight and into tomorrow, there could be some challenging conditions.”
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This includes reports that there could be some freezing fog overnight, which Hartzel said can be very tricky to navigate while driving. He also emphasized that just because the road has been treated doesn’t mean that the surface isn’t slippery for your car.
“Brine doesn’t actually provide traction. What it does is prevent the snow and ice from sticking to the roadway. And that allows the vehicles to slush up the snow and ice. And so don’t assume that you’re going to get extra traction with brine necessarily, but it’ll keep that ice from forming or adhering to the roadway,” he said. “Now, we can put down sand and or, you know, small rocks we call chat for traction. And so you see that and that will help as well.”
Hartzel said drivers should remain cautious for at least several days, since melting snow can turn back to ice when temperatures fall, and leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicles of others.
“That distance, you also need to give yourself a buffer on both sides of your left and right and even behind if you can. If you hit that ice, you could spin and go into an adjacent lane. So don’t ride right next to somebody. Personally, I get a little nervous if somebody is right next to me when I’m in snow and ice conditions. Try to give yourself that extra room all around you as well.
