A strong cold front has swept through North Texas, causing temperatures to plummet.

As a potential snow or wintry mix looms later in the week, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is already taking proactive measures to ensure road safety.

Although the start of the week is expected to remain dry, TxDOT crews have been treating major highways in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with brine since Friday. This solution helps prevent ice from bonding to the roadways by lowering the freezing point when precipitation begins.

“When the precipitation falls, it’ll mix with the brine and reduce the chance of ice forming on the roadway,” explained Val Lopez, Public Information Officer for TxDOT’s Fort Worth District.

With pre-treatment complete, TxDOT teams are prepared to shift focus to elevated surfaces—bridges and overpasses—once the wintry weather arrives. Crews are working 12-hour shifts, ready to fight ice, remove snow, and apply additional brine or sand as needed.

The impending weather has North Texans preparing as well. On Sunday, residents stocked up on firewood to brace for the chill. Cody White and his family were among those gathering supplies at a Valero gas station in Colleyville.

“You never know what Texas weather might throw at you,” White remarked.

Andrew Rampley echoed the sentiment as he prepared firewood for his mother, reflecting on the challenges of past winters. “A couple of years ago, when everything froze, it was a tough situation. We’re trying to avoid that this time.”

While the cold snap might feel unwelcome to some, others are embracing the season’s fleeting chill.

“For now, it actually feels like winter has arrived,” said Dean Minchillo. “Give me a couple of days, and I’ll probably change my mind. But before we know it, the heat will return, and we’ll be complaining about summer. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.”