North Texas Gets Hit with "Deep Freeze Round 2" in February 2011

Having spent the majority of my 43 years in the State of New Jersey most would think someone like me would be used to the complications caused by several inches of snow and dangerous sheets of ice formed on lengths of roadways and dangling from roof tops. But this Texan transplant of 4 years was just as shocked as the rest of my North Texan neighbors when that freak blizzard hit the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex last week... just in time for the long awaited Super Bowl XLV. There were 4 consecutive days of below freezing temperatures along with up to 7" of snow accumulations atop 2" of ice and a wind chill factor that put us below 0⁰ with wind gusts in excess of 45MPH. Having had the honor of working as an official Super Bowl XLV Greeter I can honestly say, the entire experience left everyone with their jaws gaping. Mother Nature certainly gave all of us unexpected challenges as we tried to move about, everything further complicated by the deluge of visitors in town for the big event. I have greater respect for my husband's "man skills" as he got us to and from work safely. We experienced two 360⁰ spin-outs in the middle of the road, managed to avoid collisions with many other out-of-control vehicles, got stuck once at a stop light and avoided driving right into a culvert by mere inches. Though I'm from New Jersey there is no way I would have attempted to drive in those conditions. The roads are treated quite differently back east making them easier to navigate. By Super Bowl Sunday, February 6^th, 2011 the DFW metroplex enjoyed temperatures in the mid 50's.

Last night at 12:30AM February 9^th, 2011 the temperature was at 55⁰ making it hard to believe we'd wake to snow and ice. As predicted by 3:00AM temperatures dropped to below freezing. The sleet and snow began to fall before dawn. Schools and many businesses and government offices were closed or delayed in opening as expected. There are no great snow accumulations predicted. The only real danger posed by the blowing snow is its affect on visibility. This morning, many major roadways are closed and experiencing delays due to accidents and/or ice.

The forecast for the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex predicts light snow tapering by noon with temperatures in the low teens and wind chill of 0⁰. The good news is we will be back in the mid 60's by Sunday, February 13^th, 2011. As we say here in Texas, "If you don't like the weather just wait ten minutes. It'll change."