Houston does a lot of things well. Ice is not one of them.
We don’t practice for it.
We don’t prepare emotionally for it.
And the second someone says “possible icing on the roads,” half the city starts side-eyeing overpasses.
So if this weekend’s forecast has you thinking, “I’ll just stay home,” congratulations. You’ve made an excellent life choice.
So if this weekend’s forecast has you thinking, “I’ll just stay home,” congratulations. You’ve made an excellent life choice.
The good news is staying in does not have to mean staring at your phone refreshing the KPRC Weather App every five minutes. Here’s how to survive a cold Houston weekend without losing your sanity.
Make your living room the destination
This is not the weekend to be indecisive.
Pick a movie. Pick a show. Pick something you’ve been “meaning to watch” for months. Put the remote down and commit. If you scroll for 45 minutes and give up, you’ve already lost.
Blankets are required. Snacks are non-negotiable. Pajamas are perfectly acceptable at any hour.
Game night, but lower your expectations
Cold weekends are perfect for board games, card games, puzzles. Whatever you’ve got.
If you live with other people, this is when competitive personalities come out. If you live alone, puzzles still count as company. You don’t need to explain this to anyone.
Trash talk is optional but encouraged.
Cook like the weather told you to
Cold weather basically demands comfort food. That’s science.
Soup. Chili. Cookies. Banana bread. Anything that simmers, bakes, or makes your house smell better than whatever is happening outside.
If it’s not perfect, that’s fine. Houston standards are flexible this weekend.
Do that one thing you keep avoiding
You know the thing.
The drawer. The pile. The project you said you’d “get to next weekend” four weekends ago. This is a great time to tackle exactly one task and then immediately reward yourself for it.
Do not overachieve. This is survival, not a competition.
Enjoy Houston without leaving your couch
If the roads get slick, nobody will judge you for staying home. Watch a virtual museum tour. Listen to a Houston-based podcast. Re-watch classic Houston sports moments and pretend it’s the good years again.
Same city. Zero traffic.
Embrace the slowness
This weekend doesn’t need to be productive. Sometimes the goal is just to be warm, fed, and slightly entertained.
Take a nap. Watch something ridiculous. Put your phone down for a bit. The city will still be here when the weather warms up.
Houston weather is unpredictable. Your weekend doesn’t have to be.
Stay warm. Stay safe. And if you absolutely must leave the house, please remember: bridges freeze first, so drive very carefully.