Texas weather is turning fast and unforgiving this morning.
Warm air still lingers near the coast, but cold wind slips in underneath. Pavement looks wet now. By nightfall, it may turn treacherous.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Houston and much of Southeast Texas from 6 PM tonight through 6 PM Sunday. An Extreme Cold Warning follows, stretching into Monday afternoon, with an additional Extreme Cold Watch early next week.
Rain is expected to change to freezing rain late today. Some sleet may mix in overnight. Ice accumulations between 0.10 and 0.25 inches are possible, especially north and west of downtown. Even light ice can shut down travel across bridges and elevated roadways like I-10, I-45, and Highway 59.
Power outages are possible as ice weighs down trees and lines. Travel could become nearly impossible during peak icing periods. If you must drive, plan extra time and avoid overpasses after sunset.
By Sunday, colder air deepens. Temperatures fall into the 20s by evening. Any melting during the day may flash freeze after dark, creating widespread slick spots. Wind chills will drop into the single digits by early Monday, posing a frostbite risk.
Monday brings sunshine but little warmth. Highs struggle to reach the mid-30s. Pipes, pets, and people remain at risk during prolonged freezing conditions. Hard freezes could cause pipe bursts across the region.
Looking ahead to midweek, temperatures slowly recover. Sunshine returns, and highs climb back into the 50s by Wednesday. Precipitation chances drop across Southeast Texas late next week.
For now, conditions may deteriorate quickly after sunset. Limit travel, protect exposed pipes, and check on neighbors. Are you already seeing ice where you live?
Five-Day Outlook: Houston, Texas
- Sunday: Freezing rain early, then cloudy. High near 34°F
- Monday: Mostly sunny, bitter cold. High near 36°F
- Tuesday: Sunny and warmer. High near 45°F
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 53°F
- Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 53°F
