Texas Winter Storm: Thundersleet and Freezing Rain Threat in Houston Area

Winter Storm Watch and Forecast

• ⚠️ A winter storm watch is in effect for the greater Houston area through Monday morning, with significant cold air expected.
• ❄️ Temperatures have plunged in West and Central Texas, with Houston currently hovering around 40°, but expected to drop significantly overnight.
• ⚡ The parent storm moving in late tonight is expected to lift the atmosphere, potentially bringing thunderstorms.

Overnight Icing Threat

• 🧊 Thunder sleet or thunder freezing rain is possible overnight as temperatures drop below freezing.
• 💧 Rain falling today will freeze on contact once temperatures drop, creating a base layer of ice, with freezing rain adding to accumulations.
• 📈 Ice accumulation is expected to intensify through the overnight hours, particularly in northwestern counties, impacting roadways, power lines, and tree branches.

Community Preparedness and Warming Centers

• 🏠 Mayor Whitmire has directed warming centers to open earlier, providing a warm place for residents, including those without regard to immigration status.
• 🐶 Shelters are accommodating pets, with some individuals prioritizing bringing their animals.
• 🚗 HPD officers are distributing blankets and socks and actively seeking out individuals in need, offering transport to shelters.

Road Conditions and Local Impacts

• 🛣️ Roads are wet from the day's rain, and drivers are advised to be cautious due to the potential for freezing conditions overnight.
• 🔌 In Huntsville, while prisons are equipped with generators, concerns remain about potential power outages due to ice accumulation on trees and power lines.
• 🏘️ In Conroe, residents are taking precautions to protect plants, and water pooling on roads poses a risk of freezing.
• ⛽ Cypress has seen a rush of activity with people fueling up, stocking up on snacks, and purchasing ice, while workers have spread salt on sidewalks to prevent freezing.

Extreme Cold and Safety Warnings

• 🥶 Behind the storm, an intense cold is expected, leading to a widespread deep freeze by Monday morning.
• 🚫 Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads and stay home unless absolutely essential due to dangerous slick conditions.
• 📱 A reminder to text "freeze" to 713-526-1111 for helpful links, including a list of warming centers.