Obviously, the big winter storm projected to hit North Texas starting late Friday, Jan. 23, has everyone planning for a worst-case scenario after the chaos of “Snowmageddon” five years ago. To keep residents informed before the cold hits, we’ve compiled a guide to city services, closures, and winter safety tips — plus the latest on major Fort Worth attractions, including the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and the Kimbell Art Museum, to name a few.
Fort Worth is bracing for freezing rain, sleet, and gusty winds, with city officials, utility crews, and event organizers working to keep residents safe and life moving. The storm is arriving gradually: Friday’s afternoon commute may remain mostly dry, though rain will linger, and by evening temperatures drop below freezing. Bridges and elevated roadways are expected to freeze first, with wind gusts up to 20 mph intensifying the cold.
City Services And Emergency Preparations
Fort Worth has activated cold-weather plans to protect vulnerable populations. Individuals experiencing homelessness are encouraged to visit the Union Gospel Mission or Presbyterian Night Shelter, while families may go to the Salvation Army Mabee Center. Overflow shelters will open if capacity is exceeded, and volunteers for the annual Point In Time Count will distribute bus passes and information about warming locations. Residents noticing someone in crisis should call 911.
City operations will adjust to the storm. Animal Care & Control shelters close early Friday and remain mostly shuttered over the weekend, with emergency staff on hand for urgent needs. Libraries, municipal courts, and community centers will close or limit operations, while golf courses, the Fort Worth Water Gardens, and landfills also pause services. Street Operations has pretreated bridges and priority routes with brine, ready to deploy sand-salt mixtures as ice forms, and TxDOT crews are brining major highways. Motorists are urged to drive to conditions and allow extra travel time.
Museums
Kimbell Art Museum Closure
Today is the last chance to see "Myth and Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection." The museum will close Saturday and Sunday, canceling all weekend programming, including Kimbell Casual Friday, Kimbell Kids Drop-In Studio, Sunday film screenings, and tours.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Closure
The Modern will close tonight, Friday, Jan. 23, at 8 p.m. as usual, but due to the storm, the 8 p.m. film screening and Café Modern’s 5–8 p.m. dinner service are canceled. The café bar will remain open until 8 p.m. The museum will remain closed Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art Closure
The Amon Carter Museum will be closed Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25 due to the winter storm. The museum is always closed on Mondays and plans to reopen to the public at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
TCU Winter Storm Update
According to the National Weather Service, Fort Worth is under a Winter Storm Warning and an Extreme Cold Warning, with an arctic front bringing freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions are expected starting late Friday night. TCU will operate normally on Friday, Jan. 23, with classes and activities concluding at their usual times and the Mary Couts Burnett Library closing at 5 p.m.
For the weekend, Jan. 24–25, the TCU campus will be closed, and all classes and activities are canceled due to anticipated significant icing and sub-zero wind chills. TCU Police remain available for on-campus emergencies at 817-257-7777 or non-emergency support at 817-257-7930. Decisions regarding Monday, Jan. 26 operations will be shared Sunday by 5 p.m. via TCU Alert.
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Events Continue
Most FWSSR events proceed as scheduled despite the storm. The PRORODEO Tournament, livestock shows, family attractions, and Mustang Magic performances continue indoors with enhanced safety measures for icy streets and pedestrian areas. Vendors and concessions provide warming spaces, while seniors enjoy half-price admission Friday. Organizers encourage extra travel time and patience, knowing that slick conditions may slow access.
FWSSR management emphasized: “Due to the nature of our event and the coordination required across multiple pre-booked venues, including the Will Rogers Memorial Center and Dickies Arena, as well as the scheduled PRORODEO Tournament, we are unable to reschedule performances or competitions. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo maintains a No Refund / No Exchange policy on rodeo tickets, and tickets will remain valid only for their scheduled performances.”
Stockyards Events Canceled Due To Weather
In the historic Stockyards district, outdoor events are heavily impacted. The Herd cattle drives at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday are canceled due to icy conditions and logistical challenges. Additionally, rodeo performances and showcases are canceled as follows:
- Friday, 1/23 — Stockyards Championship Rodeo, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, 1/24 — Stockyards Championship Rodeo, 1:30 p.m.
- Saturday, 1/24 — Stockyards Championship Rodeo, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, 1/25 — Stockyards Championship Rodeo, 1:30 p.m.
Organizers noted that these events cannot be rescheduled due to the coordination required across outdoor venues. Tickets remain valid for other FWSSR indoor events, but refunds or exchanges are not offered for Stockyards cancellations.
Practical Tips For Residents
- Travel: Avoid nonessential trips, fuel vehicles, and check tire pressure and lights. Bridges and elevated roads freeze first.
- Pets: Bring pets indoors below 20 °F (35 °F for puppies, kittens, senior, or short-haired pets). FWACC offers straw, dog houses, food, and sweaters for those in need.
- Transit: Trinity Metro buses and trains may run on reduced schedules. Check RideTrinityMetro.org/Weather or the GoPass app for updates.
- Utilities: Oncor crews are on standby for ice-related outages. Register for alerts via the MyOncor app or text REG to 66267.
- Safety: Fort Worth Police encourage essential travel only. Extra patrols monitor high-risk areas, including bridges and interchanges.
As sleet falls and temperatures drop, Fort Worth balances winter risk with weekend tradition. From indoor rodeo arenas and livestock pens at FWSSR to the quiet galleries of the Kimbell, residents, visitors, and officials adapt together, while the Stockyards adjusts its outdoor schedule to protect guests and animals.
