HOUSTON – As the potential increases for the Houston-area to see impactful winter weather this weekend, KPRC 2 has created a guide and compiled a list of information you can use to help you navigate the bitter cold.
Right now, the cold front looks to arrive on Friday with temperatures tumbling behind it. Even colder air will be in place on Saturday as a storm system moves into the area, bringing the chance of freezing rain with it.
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Other parts of the state, such as north and East Texas, appear to be in line for even more impacts from this system than Southeast Texas.
Here are several KPRC 2-specific products you can use to monitor the situation.
KPRC 2+
KPRC 2+ is a free local news streaming app. It works the same way as watching Netflix or Hulu on your connected TV or smartphone.
When our weather turns severe, you can count on extended live coverage on the KPRC 2+ livestream. Even if your power or cable goes out, you can find us on the app.
Click here to download KPRC 2+ for iPhone or KPRC 2+ for Android.
KPRC 2 Weather App
KPRC 2’s updated weather app connects you with information from our KPRC 2 Meteorologists to help keep you ahead of any disruptive weather headed your way.
From live radar and weather alerts, to livestreams and detailed forecasts, this app is a must-have if you want to stay in the loop about what is headed this way.
Click here for more information and to download.
Newsletters
Sign up for the following KPRC 2 newsletters to get important weather information delivered straight to your inbox.
As always, you can also keep updated on the latest weather information by going to KPRC.com and clicking on the weather tab. You can go to the weather section by clicking here.
Steps to take to protect you and family during freezing temps:
Track real-time power outages in your Houston neighborhood
The app, called Ting, provides real-time, neighborhood-level power outage information - a critical improvement over traditional utility tracking system.
This comes after CenterPoint Energy’s outage tracker failed during the hurricane recovery period, leading more than 5 million people to download the Whataburger app as an impromptu solution for checking neighborhood power status.
Track the Texas power grid
ERCOT, which manages the state’s main power grid, created a dashboard where residents can track its current conditions and usage.
Click here to watch the grids in real-time
The dashboard has timestamps so that you can see when the information was last updated.
Click here to learn how to understand the grid.
Here is how to drive on ice or snow (if absolutely necessary)
Driving in winter conditions such as ice or snow can be extremely challenging -- to be honest, we’d rather you just stay home.
Drivers should delay trips when there is severe weather. But, if you absolutely have to make a trip in the winter weather, we encourage you to stay updated with weather forecasts and driving conditions in your area.
AAA Texas has provided some tips on how to protect your vehicle before driving in bad weather: Click here.
Houston residents should get these items out of your car ahead of freezing temperatures
With bitterly cold temperatures expected across much of Texas, hopefully, you are taking steps to make sure your family, your pets, and your home are ready for the frigid weather.
Before the winter weather threat and potential hard freeze, you should check the inside of your car to make sure you didn’t accidentally leave something outside that could cause an expensive mess.
Here are some of the things you should NOT leave in your car when it’s freezing outside: Click here.
How Houston residents can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning during extreme winter weather
When desperate, some people are tempted to turn to dangerous ways to stay warm. Gas stoves, ovens, propane tanks/ generators, and cars are never acceptable methods of heat.
Those appliances can turn deadly when leaking carbon monoxide.
Here are other helpful links: