HOUSTON, Texas – Houston is in for a sharp weather shift this weekend as Arctic air pushes into Southeast Texas, bringing a rare ice threat late Saturday into Sunday.
Forecasters say the timing of the cold air is critical. While the Arctic front is expected to arrive late Friday night, the cold air will be slow to fully settle into the region. That means most of the wintry impacts are now expected late Saturday evening into early Sunday, rather than earlier in the day.
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Friday, Jan. 23 — Arctic Front Arrives Late
A powerful Arctic front moves into Texas late Friday night. Rain may return ahead of the front, but daytime temperatures will remain above freezing. While colder air begins filtering in overnight, wintry weather is not expected immediately.
Saturday, Jan. 24 — Cold Rain, Then Ice Late
Saturday will start with off-and-on cold rain across much of the Houston area. As Arctic air slowly pushes south during the afternoon, areas north of Houston may begin seeing ice first. For the Houston metro, forecasters expect the changeover from cold rain to freezing rain overnight Saturday, once temperatures finally dip below freezing. By Saturday night, all winter weather preparations should be complete.
Sunday, Jan. 25 — Icy Roads, Bitter Cold
Early Sunday morning poses the highest risk for icy roads, with below-freezing temperatures and lingering freezing rain. Most freezing rain and sleet should taper off by around midday Sunday, but temperatures are expected to hover near freezing all day. With little warming, melting will be limited, keeping road conditions potentially hazardous through the day. Sunday night is expected to be the coldest stretch of the system.
Monday, Jan. 26 — Deep Freeze, Slow Thaw
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect as temperatures plunge into the teens and 20s Monday morning, with wind chills possibly feeling closer to 6 degrees. Any ice that fails to melt on Sunday could linger into Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, highs near 40 degrees should help improve road conditions.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 — Final Hard Freeze
Another hard freeze is expected early Tuesday morning. Forecasters say this should be the last freeze of the stretch, with temperatures remaining above freezing after Tuesday afternoon.