Quick Read
- Dallas ISD and numerous North Texas schools and universities are closed Monday, January 26, 2026.
- The closures are a direct result of a severe winter storm bringing freezing rain, sleet, and snow to the region.
- Freezing temperatures are expected to persist until Tuesday afternoon, creating hazardous road conditions.
- Other disruptions include hospital clinics, museums, and cultural events.
- Local authorities advise residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel.
DALLAS (Azat TV) – Schools, universities, and numerous public services across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have announced widespread closures for Monday, January 26, 2026, as a severe winter storm continues to bring hazardous conditions to North Texas. The decision, impacting major districts like Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD, aims to ensure the safety of students and staff amidst freezing rain, sleet, and snow that has created slick roadways and icy surfaces.
Widespread Educational Disruptions Across North Texas
The closures extend well beyond K-12 public schools, encompassing a broad range of educational institutions. Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD were among the first to announce their decisions on Saturday, January 24, with dozens of other major school districts quickly following suit. Notable closures include Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Keller ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, and Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. Higher education institutions such as Tarrant County College and Texas A&M University – College of Dentistry also confirmed they would not operate on Monday.
Private schools and daycares are equally affected, with entities like Fort Worth Christian School, Liberty Christian School in Argyle, and numerous learning centers opting to close. The sheer volume of cancellations underscores the severity of the weather event and the concerted effort by local authorities and institutions to prioritize public safety.
Hazardous Weather Conditions Persist
The winter storm, which began over the weekend, has delivered a mix of freezing rain and sleet, with the National Weather Service predicting a transition to a sleet-and-snow mix by Sunday morning. The Dallas-Fort Worth region could see accumulations of up to 3 inches of snow and sleet, alongside a quarter-inch of ice. Crucially, freezing temperatures are expected to persist until Tuesday afternoon, meaning that slush on roadways will likely refreeze into solid, slick ice overnight, exacerbating dangerous driving conditions.
City and state transportation departments are actively working to mitigate hazards. The City of Dallas is treating major thoroughfares, while the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is focusing on bridges and overpasses, which are particularly susceptible to icing. Authorities are strongly advising residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel, emphasizing that road conditions can rapidly deteriorate.
Broader Community Impact and Response
Beyond schools, the winter storm has prompted cancellations and adjustments across various sectors. Medical facilities have seen disruptions, with Scottish Rite’s outpatient clinics and ancillary appointments in Dallas and Frisco canceled for Monday. Surgeries at Scottish Rite’s Frisco campus have been rescheduled, though Dallas campus surgeries will proceed with a delayed start. Cook Children’s also closed several primary and specialty care clinics early on Friday, with many remaining closed.
Cultural institutions have also been affected. The Kimball Art Museum was closed over the weekend, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science also shut its doors on Saturday. The Dallas Opera canceled its Hart Institute for Women Conductors 10th Anniversary Showcase Concert and related events scheduled for Sunday.
Localized power outages have been reported due to ice accumulating on power lines and tree limbs, though these are not indicative of the widespread grid failures experienced in 2021. In response to the inclement weather, the City of Dallas issued press releases encouraging donations to local nonprofits, Austin Street Center and OurCalling, which operate inclement-weather shelters at Fair Park, seeking non-perishable food, warm clothing, hygiene items, and blankets.
The widespread and coordinated response to this winter storm across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, encompassing school systems, healthcare providers, and cultural institutions, highlights the significant operational challenges posed by severe weather in a major urban area, even when not experiencing the catastrophic infrastructure failures of previous events.