El Paso and Texas Get Ready for a Chilly Weather Shift

Bust out the San Marcos cobija because it looks like we might finally be getting a little winter weather. After what seemed like an unusually warm winter, a cooler shift is heading to parts of Texas and El Paso is also on the path.

If you’ve been tricked into thinking winter forgot about us this year, consider this your official warning: it did not.

Texas Braces for a Major Winter Weather Shift This Weekend

A strong winter storm is set to move across Texas later this week, bringing arctic air, freezing temperatures, and the potential for sleet, freezing rain, or snow in several regions.

READ MORE: Six Favorite San Marcos Cobijas Designs

Forecasters say confidence is growing that this could be one of the coldest air masses Texas sees all winter. In other words, this isn’t a mild cool front- it’s the kind that sends Texans scrambling for jackets they thought they wouldn’t need.

North and Central Texas Could See Ice and Freezing Temps

Parts of North and Central Texas, including the Dallas–Fort Worth area, are expected to feel the cold first. Friday night could bring freezing rain, with temperatures dropping into the 20s and staying cold through the weekend.

Southeast Texas Also Faces a Hard Freeze

As the front moves south, Central and Southeast Texas could also see impacts. Forecasts show rain chances increasing around the Houston area, followed by a hard freeze late Saturday into Sunday morning.

Officials are urging residents to finish winter preparations before Friday, as conditions could change quickly once the cold settles in.

El Paso Prepares for a Sudden Winter Shift

El Paso’s forecast is also about to do a complete 180!

After enjoying sunny days and near-70-degree temperatures, much colder air is expected to reach the Borderland by Friday. Winds will pick up, clouds will increase, and scattered rain showers will move in ahead of the cold front.

READ MORE: Where to Find Warming Centers in El Paso this Winter

By Saturday, temperatures will continue dropping, with chilly winds and a mix of rain and sleet possible. Late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, that mix could briefly change to light snow- especially in higher elevations; which means, the Franklin Mountains could see a light dusting!

Once skies clear late Sunday, temperatures are expected to plunge overnight. Monday morning lows could dip into the teens and low 20s, making for a very cold start to the week.

After weeks of mild weather, this sudden shift is a reminder that Texas winter has a habit of showing up late, and making an entrance!