Texas Winter Storm: Ice, Cold, and Power Outage Threats

Weekend Winter Storm Forecast

• ❄️ A significant winter storm is expected to impact Texas from Saturday morning through Sunday, bringing cold rain, freezing rain, and sleet.
• ⚠️ Southeast Texas, including the greater Houston area, is under a Winter Storm Watch due to the potential for light to moderate icing.
• 🥶 An Extreme Cold Watch is also in effect for Sunday night into Monday morning, with wind chills potentially dropping to 5-15 degrees.

Timing and Precipitation Types

• 🌧️ Saturday will primarily see cold rain across most of the state, with temperatures dropping from the mid-50s into the low 40s.
• 🧊 After sunset on Saturday and into Sunday, temperatures will drop below freezing, turning the rain into freezing rain and sleet.
• 🚗 Travel is strongly discouraged for areas north of Madisonville on I-45, the I-35 corridor north of Austin, and the I-20 corridor, as significant icing is expected.

Ice Accumulation and Potential Impacts

• 📈 The amount of ice accumulation is critical: a trace to a quarter of an inch could lead to icy bridges and overpasses.
• ⚠️ Ice accumulation above a quarter of an inch can cause tree limb damage and power outages due to the added weight on lines.
• ⚡ Widespread tree damage and extensive power outages are possible with accumulations over 3/4 of an inch, though this level of ice is not currently forecast for Houston.

Preparation and Outlook

• 🏠 Thursday and Friday are recommended days to prepare your home by insulating exposed pipes and ensuring warmth in case of power outages.
• 🥶 By Monday morning, after precipitation ends, temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s and teens in the Houston area, with mid to low teens possible elsewhere.
• ⚠️ The forecast involves considerable uncertainty, particularly regarding the extent and strength of the incoming Arctic air, which could lead to more significant icing than currently predicted.