What to know about the incoming freezing weather in Houston
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A blast of arctic air is barreling toward Texas this weekend, raising the risk of snow, ice and freezing rain and prompting Gov. Greg Abbott to activate state emergency response resources.
Why it matters: Even modest ice accumulation can make roads dangerous, disrupt travel and strain the power grid — concerns that remain high in Texas nearly five years after the 2021 winter storm.
- Forecasters encourage residents to continue to monitor the forecast and begin preparations.
Zoom in: As of Wednesday, National Weather Service Houston/Galveston forecasters say an Arctic cold front is expected to move through the region Friday afternoon/night, bringing freezing temperatures.
- There is potential for freezing rain. Parts of the area could see hard freezes Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday night.
- Latest forecasts show subfreezing temperatures across much of the Houston metro for about 40 consecutive hours.
What they're saying: "It's going to be bone-chilling cold," Brian Mason, with Houston's Office of Emergency Management, said at Wednesday's City Council meeting.
- "I'm not saying this is going to be the winter storm of '21, but we should prepare as if this were the winter storm of 2021."
- Mayor John Whitmire said to stay at home and off roads starting Saturday through Tuesday morning. "It is a serious storm," he said.
Between the lines: The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, said this week that they anticipate ample supply to meet demand this weekend.
Zoom out: The winter storm is set to pummel huge swaths of the country later this week through the weekend, from Texas all the way east to Georgia and north to New England.
- Nearly 40 million Americans are under a winter storm watch as of Wednesday morning — a number that will likely climb into the weekend.
What we're watching: Uncertainty remains about the timing, location and severity of precipitation.
- "The ice is definitely a concern, but forecast details are sketchy," says Matt Lanza of Space City Weather.
The bottom line: It's better to be prepared, just in case.