Ice accumulates on trees in downtown Tyler in February 2023 during freezing rain and wintry weather in East Texas.  (Santana Wood/Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

A watch issued for Smith County has been upgraded to a winter storm warning, according to the National Weather Service of Shreveport. 

The winter storm warning means heavy mixed precipitation is expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches are possible and ice accumulations up to a half-inch are expected, the NWS said.

The warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday to noon Friday for Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Upshur, Wood, Cass, Morris, Camp, Titus, Franklin, Bowie, Red River, and several other counties in the Northeast Texas, south central and southwest Arkansas, southeast Oklahoma and northwest Louisiana region. 

Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will be impacted. They will likely become slick and hazardous, the NWS stated.

The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages.

Travel should be avoided if possible. Drivers should plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact Thursday morning and evening commutes, NWS added.

“If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination,” NWS stated in its warning. “Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.”

It is also advised to keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

NWS says rain showers and sleet are likely before noon in Tyler on Thursday, then more showers, sleet and snow are expected from noon to 3 p.m. More rain and sleet is expected after 3 p.m. 

The high temperature is forecast to be about 36 degrees in Tyler on Thursday with a low of 31 that night. The chance of precipitation is 100%.

Friday will see a slight chance of rain and snow before 9 a.m. with the possibility for more rain from 9 a.m. to noon. The low temperature Friday night will be about 22 degrees. 

Sun will return Saturday with a high near 45 in Tyler and a low near 32. Sunday’s high temperature is expected to reach about 50 with more sun in the forecast, but the low will dip down to 29 degrees Sunday night. Low temperatures will continue into next week.