The KHOU 11 Weather Team is monitoring a cold front that will bring cooler temperatures, gusty winds and perhaps a snow flurry or two to the Houston area.
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Here's what you can expect over the next few days and how you can prepare for potentially dangerous winds.
Thursday Afternoon/Night
The rain will mostly clear by the afternoon as temperatures dip into the 40’s and 50’s during the late evening.
There is a Wind Advisory for Southeast Texas along with a Gale Warning for the coastal communities.
Friday Morning
Temperatures will be in the 30’s and 40’s Friday morning. Timing of the cold air overnight and lingering moisture will make all the difference with the forecast Friday. It looks like snow accumulation from central and north Texas with the potential of a flurries, sleet or graupel around the Houston area and especially areas north of town. Once the rain moves out wind gusts could get as high as 45 mph for Friday morning. That will be strong enough to create power outages.
(See our tips below this forecast for getting prepared for high winds.)
Friday Afternoon/Night
Friday night we will have clearer skies, and temperatures will be in the low-40s.
This Weekend
Sunny weather is expected Saturday with temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s much of the day. Sunday some clouds return with temperatures in the upper-60’s later in the day.
HOW YOU CAN PREPARE FOR GUSTY/HIGH WINDS
Remove any dead trees or overhanging branches near structures, loose roofing materials and objects in yards, patios, roofs or balconies that could blow away. Bring in unsecured objects from patios and balconies and secure outdoor objects such as lawn furniture or garbage cans that could blow away and cause damage or injury.
The safest place to during high winds is indoors.
Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued.
If you are caught outside during high winds:
Take cover next to a building or under a shelter.
Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid other elevated areas such as roofs without adequate railing.
Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts. Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall.
In the event of a downed power line:
Call for help. Report downed lines to your local utility emergency center and to the police. Do not try to free lines or to remove debris yourself.
Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Puddles and even wet or snow-covered ground can conduct electricity in some cases. Warn others to stay away.
If you see someone who has been shocked who may be in direct or indirect contact with a power line, do not try to touch them. You may become a second victim. Get medical attention as quickly as possible by calling 911.
If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Take care not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle. Honk your horn, roll down the window and warn anyone who may approach of the danger. Ask someone to call the police. Do not exit the car until help arrives, unless it catches on fire. To exit, open the door, but do not step out. Jump, without touching any of the metal portions of the car's exterior, to safe ground and get quickly away.
If you are driving:
Keep both hands on the wheel and slow down.
Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path.
Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel.
Take extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, SUV, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts.
If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, get onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides.