Texas wakes up under a sharp winter edge as cold air presses into Southeast Texas before sunrise. Streetlights reflect off patchy frost, and lawns crunch underfoot. Temperatures dip into the upper 20s to low 30s across the Houston metro, triggering a Freeze Warning that remains in effect through mid-morning.
The National Weather Service warns that freezing temperatures between 27 and 32 degrees could damage tender plants and exposed outdoor plumbing. Residents should protect pipes, bring pets indoors, and allow extra time for early travel. Bridges and overpasses may briefly turn slick, especially in low-lying areas.
Skies stay mostly clear this morning, allowing frost to linger before sunshine arrives. By late morning, temperatures recover quickly. Afternoon highs reach the low 50s, easing the immediate cold threat but keeping a winter feel in place. Winds remain light, limiting widespread travel impacts.
Conditions shift fast Tuesday as warmer air flows north. Clouds increase, but highs climb into the low 60s, a noticeable rebound from the frosty start. By Wednesday, Southeast Texas feels almost springlike. Temperatures surge into the low 70s, and humidity increases ahead of a weak system.
A 30 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms develops Wednesday morning, mainly before noon. Rainfall appears brief, but wet roads could slow commutes. No wintry precipitation is expected during this transition, though rapid temperature swings highlight December’s volatility.
Looking toward the weekend, mild weather dominates. Highs stay in the mid to upper 70s, offering ideal conditions for outdoor plans and early Christmas travel. Still, forecasters caution that December patterns can flip quickly, and another cold front later this month remains possible.
Five-Day Outlook for Houston, TX
• Today: Patchy frost early, sunny later, high near 52°F
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 63°F
• Wednesday: Chance of morning storms, high near 72°F
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 77°F
• Friday: Sunny and warm, high near 80°F
