Houston, Texas – A rare and potentially disruptive winter weather event could impact southeast Texas this weekend, with freezing rain posing a growing threat to travel and power infrastructure from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for a large portion of southeast Texas, including the Houston metro, the Brazos Valley, and the Piney Woods. Forecasters say confidence is increasing in a prolonged period of freezing rain, with ice accumulations between one-tenth and three-tenths of an inch possible across the region.
The highest ice totals are expected in the Piney Woods and Brazos Valley, affecting areas such as College Station, Bryan, Huntsville, Madisonville, and Livingston. In the Houston area, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Liberty, Chambers, and Brazoria counties, rain may transition to freezing rain by Saturday afternoon or Saturday night. Even light ice could make bridges and overpasses along Interstates 10, 45, 69, and Loop 610 extremely slick.
Ice buildup on trees and power lines may lead to scattered power outages, particularly north and west of Houston. Travel could become hazardous as untreated roads glaze over, especially during overnight hours.
Residents are urged to complete preparations before the weekend, delay non-essential travel once freezing rain begins, and monitor updates closely. Conditions may improve later Sunday, but lingering impacts could continue into early next week.
