The city of Anna received the following from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today regarding a weather advisory for North Texas this week.
“An active weather week is underway across North Texas. Yesterday's isolated severe thunderstorms in Central and East Texas are likely to be repeated later today, and the arctic air remains on schedule to arrive Tuesday. Rain and thunderstorms tonight in advance of the front will change to a brief period of freezing rain before becoming mostly sleet and snow. It now appears that areas north of an Athens to Temple line will see a period of sleet, freezing rain or snow before the precipitation ends by Tuesday afternoon. Sleet and snow accumulations in excess of 6 inches are possible across Young and Montague counties, and 4 inches or more northwest of a line from Eastland to Mineral Wells to Gainesville. Elsewhere in the watch area one to locally two inches of sleet and snow is possible. Falling temperatures and strong north winds gusting to 40 mph will result in bitterly cold wind chill temperatures Tuesday, Tuesday night, and Wednesday. A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for areas north of a Comanche to Dallas to Sulphur Springs line and this area may be expanded and upgraded to a warning as new data arrives.
Details/timing...the initial surge of cooler air has moved through most of North Texas this morning, and the much colder air had progressed as far south as Kansas. We expect the front that moved through yesterday to retreat slightly back to the north and be somewhere just south of I-20 by late afternoon. Severe thunderstorms will be possible in association with the front mainly this evening and tonight along and south of Interstate 20. Large hail is the main threat, although damaging winds cannot be ruled out.
Rain and thunderstorms tonight will produce one-half to one inch of rain, which will make pre-treating of roads challenging. Temperatures should fall below freezing during the pre-dawn hours north of a Comanche to Denton to Gainesville line, with the freezing line progressing southeast through the DFW area around 6 am, and the Waco/Temple area, Palestine and surrounding areas) by early afternoon.
Once temperatures fall below freezing they will remain below freezing through at least Friday morning. The rapidly cooling temperatures will allow the rain to change to a brief period of freezing rain and then sleet and snow. The sleet and snow could fall at a heavy rate Tuesday morning, resulting in a short period of near-blizzard conditions. Another storm system will approach our area Friday bringing a threat of snow.”
We are advising all residents to take appropriate measures to protect their water pipes from the freezing temperatures. Outdoor pipes can burst if the water in them freezes and expands, shattering pipe seals or the pipes themselves and sending water pouring through your house. Water pipes feeding outdoor hose bibs attached to an unheated garage are especially vulnerable. Avoid thousands of dollars of damage to your home by taking a few simple measures.
• Protect faucets, outdoor pipes and exposed pipes in unheated areas by wrapping them with rags, newspaper, trash bags or plastic foam.
• Open the cabinets under sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around the water pipes.
• Set your thermostat at a minimum temperature of 55 degrees, especially when you’re gone for an extended period.