Tue Feb 18 12:20:00 UTC 2025: **Life-Threatening Cold Snap to Hit North Texas; Residents Urged to Prepare**

**Fort Worth, TX [Date]** – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for North Texas, effective from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Thursday. A powerful Arctic cold front is expected to bring life-threateningly low temperatures and sub-zero wind chills, posing a significant risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

The NWS advises residents to take precautions, including dressing in layers with hats, gloves, and face masks when venturing outdoors. Pets should be kept indoors whenever possible, and outdoor animals should be provided with warm, dry shelter, food, and access to unfrozen water. Residents are urged to check on vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbors. Safe use of portable heaters is stressed, with a warning against using generators or grills indoors.

Scattered rain showers are anticipated Tuesday, potentially transitioning to freezing rain or drizzle in the late afternoon and evening, leading to slick road conditions, particularly on bridges and overpasses. Wednesday and Thursday mornings will see dangerously low temperatures in the teens, with wind chills potentially reaching zero or below.

The NWS and local authorities offer the following winterization tips:

* **Homes:** Seal windows and doors, check gutters, and trim trees away from power lines. Insulate exposed pipes, and consider leaving faucets on external walls dripping to prevent freezing.
* **Pets:** Bring pets indoors; provide adequate shelter for outdoor animals.
* **Plants:** Bring potted plants indoors or cover them with blankets or frost cloths.
* **Irrigation Systems:** Turn off sprinkler systems and drain main lines to prevent pipe damage.
* **HVAC:** Check filters and ductwork, and ensure attic units are free from rodent nests.
* **Pools:** Monitor pool pumps to prevent pipe freezing.
* **Safety:** Have fresh batteries for flashlights and smoke detectors, and keep phones fully charged.

This extreme cold event is expected to be the coldest of the winter so far, and residents are strongly encouraged to prepare accordingly. Stay updated on the latest weather forecasts from NBC 5 for further information.

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