NORTH TEXAS – North Texas is bracing for a mix of snow and sleet. A winter storm warning went into effect Thursday morning and continues until 12 p.m. Friday. The warning includes Denton, Collin, Dallas and Tarrant counties.

We are already monitoring snow in North Texas as a Winter Storm Warning in effect there until Friday midday. Today is a FOX 26 Storm Alert Day in Southeast Texas. Heavy rain will begin to move in midday.

Texas is preparing for severe winter weather. An area stretching from Texas to Tennessee braced Wednesday for the possible arrival of freezing rain and snow even as some other parts of the U.S. hit by the plunging polar vortex this week began to shake off its icy effects.

Storm Blair has hit most of the U.S., bringing freezing temperatures to Texas. Precipitation later this week could mean snow for some areas.

Our chilly weather could bring freezing rain and snow to parts of the Hill Country and I-35 corridor, local forecasters say. Why it matters: A polar vortex hauling arctic air from Canada down across the U.