Happening NOW:
This morning, we tracked rain and thunderstorms for areas like Katy, Columbus, and Brenham - even tracked street flooding live on air on I-45 in Galveston at Harborside. We’ll continue to track rain throughout the day ahead of the freezing rain threat as we head into the next couple of days of our brutal arctic blast of winter weather.
Today’s Rainfall: The latest rainfall amounts for today is between a .10-.25″ but not ruling out higher amounts in cells that produce thunderstorms.
You can track radar here:
Winter Weather Alerts: Our winter storms warnings, ice storm warning. and extreme cold warning start today ahead of the chance of freezing rain.
These winter weather alerts are in place from 6 a.m. Saturday through 6 p.m. Sunday.
For the Winter Storm Warning (shown in pink) we are expecting heavy mixed precipitation with freezing rain and cold rain. Total ice accumulations between a tenth of an inch and a quarter of an inch are possible.
This can cause power outages and will likely impact trees. Travel can be nearly impossible, especially on bridges and overpasses. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your car in case of an emergency.
To check road conditions you can call 511.
For the Ice Storm Warning (shown in purple) we are expecting significant icing. Total ice accumulations will be between two tenths of an inch and half an inch.
This will bring the chance for power outages and tree damage. Travel can be impossible and is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your car in case of an emergency. To check road conditions you can call 511.
Extreme cold warning
An extreme cold warning is in place from 6pm Saturday through noon Monday. Wind chills will feel as low as five below zero inland and as low as 10 degrees by the coast.
LIST: SCHOOL CLOSINGS
We’ll track the chance for freezing rain starting tonight around 9 pm for areas to the north of Houston.
By Sunday 8 am, we’ll start to track the chance for freezing rain/wintery mix for areas like Brenham, The Woodlands and rain from Katy to El Campo. Freezing rain is the most dangerous form of winter precipitation.
Road Temperatures: We’re tracking road temperatures today; J Roads get colder than the air, especially on bridges at night, because they lose heat quickly to the cold sky and don’t hold warmth like the air does. Bridges have nothing underneath to retain heat
32° or below: High risk—black ice likely; freezing rain will stick.
40–33°: Elevated risk—slick spots possible; bridges and overpasses freeze first.
Road Temps Future Track (note: these differ from air temps): -
Even a thin layer of ice, less than a tenth of an inch, can create hazardous driving conditions and lead to power outages if it collects on trees near power lines.
But timing is key! The freezing air, less than 32°, and precipitation have to match up. If it doesn’t, we’ll simply get a cold rain. The timing for now is Saturday night. Below in pink is the freezing rain forecast.
On top of this, wind chills will be in the teens, so it will feel bitterly cold.
Sunday’s Forecast:
Early Sunday morning we’ll have the potential for icy roads, with below-freezing temperatures and lingering freezing rain. Most of the freezing rain and sleet should end by around noon Sunday, but highs will be right near freezing. It’s going to be bitterly cold all day, and unfortunately that means little to no melting.
Now if we are able to see more sunshine and warm above freezing it’s possible our roads all de-ice at this point. Regardless, Sunday night looks to be the coldest of this stretch.
Monday’s Forecast:
Monday morning we’ll wake up with temperatures in the teens and 20s, but with the wind it could feel closer to 6 degrees. If ice doesn’t melt Sunday afternoon, we could still have icy spots Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, highs near 40 should allow things to thaw and road conditions to improve.
Tuesday’s Forecast:
Keep your pipes and plants protected Monday night, we’re expecting our final hard freeze Tuesday morning. After Tuesday afternoon, we’re done with freezing temperatures for the rest of the week.
Your Extended Forecast:
We will see the potential for another freeze next weekend, but right now it remains dry.
This forecast will become much more specific as we get closer to the weekend and models come into better alignment.