Winter storm puts freeze on Mansfield

By Amanda Rogers

Mansfield Record

Mansfield got hit by a true winter storm this weekend, and the aftereffects aren’t done with us yet.

Precipitation moved in Friday evening and continued through Sunday morning, said Miles Langfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

“Across the Metroplex, we had  1 to 2 inches of sleet and ice in Tarrant and Dallas counties,” he said. “Probably a little bit of snow mixed in, too, a true wintry mix.”

And some of us will see some more this afternoon, he said.

“We are monitoring a little batch of snow that might lead to some light accumulations this afternoon,” Langfeld said Sunday. “Not more than a ¼ inch. All of the precipitation should be out of here by this evening.”

But the freezing temperatures are just getting started, he said.

“DFW airport went below freezing about 5 a.m. Saturday,” Langfeld said. “Arlington was pretty close to the same. We aren’t expecting anywhere in the Metroplex to get about freezing until noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, so about 80 hours below freezing.

“(Sunday night) will be the coldest night,” he said. “We are looking at a temperature right around 9 degrees, with that is some wind. Wind chill could get as low as 5 below 0. It will potentially be a daily record. Monday’s record is currently 12 degees, and we are forecasting 8 to 9 degrees.”

Temperatures will drop from Sunday afternoon’s mid-20’s to 9 degrees late in the evening and into Monday morning, Langfeld said.

“We will rise to mid to upper 20s by Monday afternoon,” he said. “Monday night we will drop back into the low teens. Tuesday we are supposed to get above 40 degrees. Things should start melting Tuesday afternoon. Might get a little melting Monday but everything will refreeze. Travel could a bit dicey Monday into Tuesday morning. We are not expecting any major improvements until Tuesday afternoon.”

People should take care being outside in such extreme temperatures, he said.

“It doesn’t take long to get frostbite, especially on exposed body parts like your ears, your nose,” he said. “Try to cover up any exposed body parts, use your mittens, gloves, your scarves. Or maybe just stay inside. Get your heavy jacket out of the closet.”

Mansfield ISD has canceled school for Monday and Tuesday.

City Hall will be closed Monday, and the planned City Council meeting has been canceled.

Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, according to the city.

The extended freezing temperatures can also harm pets, homes and plants.

“Hopefully, people have been taking the steps to keep their faucets dripping,” Langfeld said. “Keep pets inside. Check on your neighbors. Any sensitive plants if you don’t have them inside already, they will probably be dead by the morning. It’s going to be pretty dang cold the next couple of days.”

A forecast storm for next weekend will probably miss Mansfield, he said.

“There’s a very low chance on Friday,” Langfeld said. “I think it will be south of Waco, and that looks like it will be mostly rain. We should be mostly dry up here through the weekend.”