COLD

The next several graphics will walk you throuh the cold blast. We’ll start with Saturday’s hour by hour forecast. Then I’ll focus on Sunday morning’s temperature, wind and wind chill. It will feel like the 20s Sunday morning.

Earlier this week, temperatures were in the 80s and now Houston is feeling temps in the mid 40s.

Forecasters said the extreme cold from an arctic blast that blew in Sunday could last until the weekend.

The coldest reported temperature overnight in the Chicago area was 30 degrees in Aurora, whereas Chicago saw temps drop to 35 degrees.

Conroe ISDConroe Independent School District will resume classes Monday. Deer Park ISDDeer Park ISD students will return to school Monday, Feb. 22. Humble ISDHumble ISD plans to resume school on Monday, Feb. 22, for all students, both on-campus and virtual students. District staff is in the process of reaching out to families to connect them with supports and information available through the Act. Royal ISDRoyal ISD students will resume school Tuesday.

As wintry weather moves into the area, well water is at risk of freezing. Make a tent or a rain jacketPut a makeshift tent or large makeshift rain jacket and tarp it over the well. Insulate, insulate, insulateInsulate any incoming water lines. Fill bath tubs with waterIf power is lost, it’s a double whammy for homes that rely on well water because water will stop flowing to the house. Having water in your tubs will allow you to fill the back of your toilet tanks and flush as needed.

Local health experts said the cold weather can cause your body to lose heat faster than it can produce it. “Hypothermia and cold temperatures go parallel and there is definitely some danger associated with them,” said Dr. Ambica Sandhir, an ER Physician at St. Luke’s Health-Patients Medical Center. The cold weather also poses a threat to pets. The Mayo Clinic recommends gently moving the person indoors if possible without making any jarring movements which could cause heart issues. The Mayo Clinic also lists the risk factors that make people more susceptible to hypothermia.

HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Transportation says they will start pre-treating roads, highways, and overpasses across the Houston area in the next 24 hours. They are waiting for roads to dry before starting the treatment process. “The more prepared our citizens can be the better off we are going to be,” said Meghan Arthur, a public information officer for Montgomery County. “We are expecting to see ice on ground level roadways as well,” said Emily Black, who is with the Texas Department of Transportation. The weather has already caused problems in Montgomery County.

But for the thousands of Houstonians who are unhoused, living on the streets, the cold is something much harder to escape. "We continue to monitor the developing situation closely and prepare to execute our winter weather plans as needed," Adame said. "At this moment, we are asking residents to prepare for the dangers of winter weather, stay informed, and protect their four P's: people, pets, plants and pipes." Freezing weather will persist through at least Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. To prepare for the cold snap, outreach teams are handing out cold weather supplies, such as blankets and hand warmers.

Eccles said to start by letting cold water drip from your faucet. Safety TipsThe Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office encourages residents to follow these heating safety tips:Place space heaters on solid and flat surfaces. Check space heaters for cracked or damaged cords and plugs. Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets, don’t use an extension cord or power strip. Create a “kid-free zone” three feet from open fires and space heaters.

Can you imagine what Houstonians must have thought on Valentine’s Day 1895, waking up to 20 inches of snow? Never underestimate February in Houston, and if you’ve been looking at the models for the weekend ahead, you’ve seen some drastic differences in temperature forecasts. On the other hand, the newest American model is almost frightening with its forecast, bringing us extreme cold this weekend:Very Cold American ModelYes, those are single digits you are seeing by Sunday! I’ll say this, last Sunday (Jan. 31) the American model was predicting 21° for THIS MORNING. So this very thin surface layer of extreme cold will be fighting a mixing of warmer air coming down from above:500mb southwest flow this weekendWhether the really cold air suggested by the American model wins out is honestly too early to tell, but historically this year, the European has done better with temperatures.

HOUSTON – Cold air has settled into Southeast Texas and will be sticking around for a while. We are in the beginning of the longest stretch of cold weather that has hit Houston so far this season. As we head into late Sunday, temperatures will start to drop and wintry precipitation will be getting close to Southeast Texas! Sunday NightAccumulations will be insignificant in Southeast Texas but snow will accumulate north and northwest of our area. Weekend Travel WeatherAfter Sunday’s rain/snow mix event, the rest of the ten day forecast shows a cooler than normal start with plenty of sunshine for the week ahead.

The Houston Humane Society and the Houston SPCA have put out some steps you should take to keep your furry friends safe. Provide plenty of food and water for your outdoor pets. If it’s wet outside, dry your pets after a walk or time outside. Do not leave your pets inside your cars. Blankets can also help keep those animals warm, especially in wet or freezing weather.

RADAR MAPS:HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Temperatures Friday will not warm out of the 60s, and many neighborhoods may be stuck in the 50s as thick clouds linger even after the rain clears out. With a clearer sky over the weekend, we'll catch our first morning in the 40s and low 50s. Temperatures will moderate Monday and Tuesday ahead of another cold front arriving Wednesday, October 30th. This will bring more messy weather, but all the mess should clear out by Halloween, making for ideal trick-or-treat weather.SHARE YOUR WEATHER PHOTOS: Send us pics and video of weather in your area to news@abc13.com and at #ABC13Eyewitness on social media.

RADAR MAPS:HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Cold front bringing heavy rain could lead to minor coastal and street flooding in some areas.Gulf moisture combining with a cold front will move through Houston Friday morning bringing another round of showers and thunderstorms, followed by even colder air for the weekend. Temperatures Friday will not warm out of the 60s, and many neighborhoods may be stuck in the 50s as thick clouds linger even after the rain clears out. With a clearer sky over the weekend, we'll catch our first morning in the 40s and low 50s. Temperatures will moderate Monday and Tuesday ahead of another cold front arriving Wednesday, October 30th. This will bring more messy weather, but all the mess should clear out by Halloween, making for ideal trick-or-treat weather.SHARE YOUR WEATHER PHOTOS: Send us pics and video of weather in your area to news@abc13.com and at #ABC13Eyewitness on social media.

Top stories: Cold couldn't stop millions from welcoming 2015 in style At least a million people crowded into New York’s Times Square to watch the ball drop. Also, it’s a bitterly cold start in many parts of the country. Anne-Marie Green reports on those and other top stories.