HOUSTON — LATEST: For updates on the Arctic blast, click here. The story below will no longer be updated.
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An Arctic cold front is moving through Texas leading to below-freezing and freezing temperatures in the Houston area.
Before the front moved in, residents were urged to make preparations days in advance, including winterizing their homes. Visit the Helpful Links section below for more on how to prepare.
The National Weather Service said a wintry mix will continue through Monday with accumulations less than 0.10 inch possible. Drivers are urged to use caution when traveling over bridges and overpasses.
ROAD CONDITIONS: Check roadways for ice in Southeast Texas and around the state
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FULL FORECAST: Arctic air mass through Texas
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is expecting tight power grid conditions on Monday, which is why they're asking Texans to conserve electricity.
"Due to continued freezing temperatures, very high demand, and unseasonably low wind, operating reserves are expected to be low," ERCOT said in a release on Sunday.
They're asking people to conserve electricity on Monday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. They said that's when the grid could get tight -- before the sun provides more solar power.
Active weather alerts
A Hard Freeze Watch was issued for Harris, Fort Bend, San Jacinto, Polk, Montgomery, Liberty, Colorado, Austin, Waller, Chambers, Wharton, and Jackson counties from late Monday through Wednesday morning.
A Hard Freeze Warning was issued for Trinity, Madison, Walker, Burleson, Brazos, Washington, Grimes, and Houston counties until 10 a.m. Monday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Monday.
The updated advisory as of Sunday morning includes Harris, Fort Bend, Austin, Walker, San Jacinto, Polk, Washington, Grimes, Montgomery, Colorado, Waller, north Liberty, north Matagorda, and north Jackson counties.
The Winter Weather Advisory means there could be periods of light freezing rain/drizzle with sleet mixed in. This may result in total ice accumulations of up to .10 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
A Wind Chill Watch is in effect for counties north of I-10 until 9 a.m. Monday. It will likely be issued again Monday night into Tuesday morning.
According to the NWS, a Wind Chill Watch is issued when dangerously cold wind chill values are possible. Adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit.
What you need to know
- An Arctic cold front is expected to move through the area late Saturday into Sunday morning
- Hard Freezes will be a threat for many parts of Southeast Texas Sunday night through Tuesday night
- Expect some long durations of subfreezing temperatures
- Bitterly cold wind chills are also anticipated
- The chances for light freezing rain or drizzle are on the low side
- Residents should have complete cold weather preparations before Saturday sunset
- ERCOT issued a Weather Watch for Monday through Wednesday due to forecasted extreme cold across Texas, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves
Helpful links
- What you need to know to protect your home in a freeze
- How to protect your pipes from a freeze
- Protect your family from carbon monoxide dangers
- How to prepare your car for a freeze
- Five things to take out of your car during a freeze...and what to leave in it
- How to safely heat your home during cold snap
- Warming centers opening up for people to get out of the cold
Latest updates
Ground stop at Bush IAH
Departures to Bush Airport are grounded because of weather. The ground stop lasts through 12:30 p.m.
ERCOT asks Texans to conserve energy on Monday morning
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is expecting tight power grid conditions on Monday, which is why they're asking Texans to conserve electricity.
"Due to continued freezing temperatures, very high demand, and unseasonably low wind, operating reserves are expected to be low," ERCOT said in a release on Sunday.
They're asking people to conserve electricity on Monday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. They said that's when the grid could get tight -- before the sun provides more solar power.
ERCOT said similar conditions were expected Tuesday, but said it would announce a voluntary conservation request at a later time.
They made sure to say there was no cause for concern.
"Tomorrow’s conservation appeal does not indicate ERCOT is experiencing emergency conditions at this time," the release said.
Harris County urges residents to take precautions
An Arctic blast is expected in the Houston area Sunday morning, so today is the day to prepare.
Today, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, as well as Chief Laurie Christensen with the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office and Mark Sloan with the Harris County Office of Emergency Management discussed the county’s preparations for the deep freeze we expect to see in the Houston area.
Hidalgo said the county has been in contact with energy providers and ERCOT regarding supply. She said depending on grid conditions, there may be temporary calls to conserve energy to avoid rolling outages.
The county is also monitoring roadways for potentially dangerous conditions.
Watch the full update county leaders gave Saturday afternoon:
Texas prepares for extreme cold
Gov. Greg Abbott said on Friday that he wants Texans to be aware of what is coming this weekend. The governor added that he wanted to make sure that residents do not expose themselves to the cold temperatures in a way that would cost them their lives.
“The point being, when we get to the time periods that are going to be the coldest, the recommendation would be, if at all possible, for you to stay in your home or other locations. So you're not going outside exposing yourself to that cold temperature,” Abbott said during a briefing.
The governor also addressed concerns over the power grid.
“We feel very good about the status of the Texas power grid and ERCOT, too, to be able to effectively and successfully ensure that the power is going to stay on throughout the entirety of this winter storm episode,” the governor said.
Watch Gov. Greg Abbott's full press briefing here.
Houston ISD and school closures
Houston ISD said on Friday that the district was aware of the weather forecast for the weekend heading into next week. The district, like many Houston-area school districts, has off on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They said they will monitor the forecast but anticipate classes will resume on Tuesday as planned.
Houston warming centers
The City of Houston will open six warming centers beginning Monday night at 8 p.m. Pets are allowed at the City of Houston warming centers but they may be required to stay in kennels provided by BARC.
In addition to the warming centers, the Star of Hope's Men's Development Center will be opening on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to offer shelter to those in need. The shelter will also be distributing hundreds of warm blankets.
The Women and Family Development Center at Star of Hope’s Cornerstone Community℠ is currently at capacity.
Star of Hope said it's in urgent need of all sizes of coats, new or gently used blankets, hats, gloves, and financial assistance to help continue the effort through the upcoming cold weather.
Fort Bend warming centers
Fort Bend County is opening its libraries to serve as warming centers to accommodate those seeking shelter during the freezing temperatures.
List of libraries below:
- Albert George Branch Library, 9230 Gene Street, Needville, TX 77461 (281-238-2850)
- Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Ctr. Blvd., Katy, TX 77494 (281-395-1311)
- First Colony Branch Library, 2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 (281-238-2800)
- Fulshear Branch Library, 1422 Eugene Heimann Cir, Richmond, TX 77469 (281-341-2718)
- George Memorial Library, 1001 Gulfview Drive, Richmond, TX 77469 (281-342-4455)
- Mamie George Library, 320 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 (281-238-2880)
- Mission Bend Library, 8421 Addicks Clodine Rd., Houston, TX 77083 (832-471-5900)
- Missouri City Library, 1530 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489 (281-238-2100)
- Sienna Branch Library, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd., Missouri City, TX 77459 (281-238-2140)
- Sugar Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77478 (281-238-2140)
- University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479 (281-633-5100)
- Willie Melton Law Library, 1422 Eugene Heimann Cir., Richmond, TX 77469 (281-341-3718)
In addition, Attack Poverty/Friends of North Rosenberg will open Sunday through Tuesday as a warming center from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The center will provide free WiFi, cots, blankets, and food.
Texas power grid conditions
ERCOT issued a Weather Watch from Sunday through Wednesday due to forecasted extreme cold across Texas, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves, according to an alert on Wednesday.
An ERCOT Weather Watch is an advance notification of forecasted significant weather with higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves.
ERCOT has a dashboard that allows you to monitor real-time grid conditions.
ERCOT is tracking the state of the grid, as well as the state of the operating reserve.
There are several more real-time monitors that you can check on ERCOT's site, including system-wide demand, solar, current prices, and more.
Houston traffic conditions
Check out our interactive traffic map to see this and other trouble spots across the Houston area:
Freeze Warning vs Freeze Watch
What is a Frost Advisory?
According to the NWS, a Frost Advisory is issued when areas of frost are expected or occurring, posing a threat to sensitive vegetation.
What is a Freeze Watch?
According to the NWS, a Freeze Watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours.
What is a Freeze Warning?
According to the NWS, a Freeze Warning is issued when temperatures are forecasted to go below 32°F for a long period of time. This temperature threshold kills some types of commercial crops and residential plants.
What is a Hard Freeze Warning?
According to the NWS, a Hard Freeze Warning is issued when temperatures are expected to drop below 28 degrees for an extended period of time, killing most types of commercial crops and residential plants.
What is a Wind Chill Advisory?
According to the NWS, a Wind Chill Advisory is issued when seasonably cold wind chill values but not extremely cold values are expected or occurring. Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors.
What is a Wind Chill Watch?
According to the NWS, a Wind Chill Watch is issued when dangerously cold wind chill values are possible. Adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit.
What is a Wind Chill Warning?
According to the NWS, a Wind Chill Warning is issued when seasonably cold wind chill values but not extremely cold values are expected or occurring. Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors.