Houston Winter Weather: Timeline of Freezing Rain and Hard Freeze

Winter Weather Timeline for Houston

• 🗓️ A weather impact alert has been issued for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday across the Houston area due to expected winter weather.
• 🥶 Temperatures are currently above freezing but will drop significantly, with a hard freeze anticipated by Monday morning, with temps in the 20s and wind chills in the teens.

Saturday's Forecast

• 🌧️ Saturday will feature cold rain with temperatures above 40°F during the day.
• ⚠️ It's advised to be off the roads by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Saturday Night into Sunday: Ice Event

• 🧊 The primary concern is freezing precipitation, likely freezing rain, starting Saturday night into Sunday.
• 🚗 This ice event poses a greater hazard for travel than snow, particularly on bridges and overpasses.
• 📉 Sunday afternoon may briefly see temperatures above freezing, but they are expected to drop again by Sunday night into Monday.

Ice Accumulation and Impacts

• 📈 Ice accumulation is the main threat, with potential for heavier accumulation in the early hours of Sunday morning.
• ⚡ Ice accumulation on power lines, rather than the power grid itself, is cited as a potential cause for local power disruptions.
• 🌉 Overpasses and bridges are particularly vulnerable to freezing first due to the air underneath them.

Extreme Cold and Preparation

• ⚠️ An extreme cold watch is in effect due to northerly winds causing wind chills to drop to 5-15°F.
• 🏠 Residents are advised to wrap pipes and dress in layers, with today and tomorrow available for preparation.
• ❄️ While other parts of Texas may see snow, Houston's primary threat is ice accumulation.
• 🌡️ After the freeze, temperatures are expected to rebound into the 50s and 60s by the middle of next week.