Will it freeze in Houston this winter? What to prepare for

HOUSTON — Frigid temperatures are looking more and more likely for much of Texas coming up next week. Because of that, the KHOU 11 Weather Team has issued a WEATHER IMPACT ALERT.  This Saturday, an arctic front is expected to pass through the Houston area, ushering in the coldest air of the season for the beginning of next week.  

The timing is noteworthy also because of the Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday. Right now, the marathon forecast looks dry but cold and windy. Temperatures during the race will be in the 30s, with feels-like temperatures in the 20s. Then the winter weather moves in.  Below is a timeline of what to expect.

Keep up with any changes in the forecast with the KHOU 11 app. We’ll keep you up to date and send regular alerts on the forecast. 

•     Cold and windy conditions
•     Wind chill values will be between 24 to 29 degrees (especially affecting Houston marathon runners).

•     Temperatures remain cold throughout the day Sunday
•     Then on Monday night, we expect light flurries begin as precipitation rolls in

•     Cold temperatures persist, with a few flurries possible all day
•     From the morning to the afternoon, we expect a widespread chance for a winter mix, meaning snow or sleet.
•     By the evening, precipitation begins to wrap up.

•     The moisture source cuts off, ending the winter precipitation.
•     Freezing temperatures will continue, which will create the risk of ice on roads from refreezing melted snow or sleet.

RELATED: As temperatures continue to drop, here’s what to look out for to keep your home prepared

A hard freeze is defined by temperatures at or below 28 degrees for an hour or more. By Monday and Tuesday mornings next week, we could see temperatures in the city drop as low as the mid 20s with low 20s and teens possible in the northern suburbs.

Daytime temperatures won’t bring much relief either. Highs for the start of next week look stuck in the 30s and 40s.  Any wind on top of that will make temperatures feel even colder, increasing the risk of cold weather illness for those subject to prolonged exposure.  

Also, this will be the time to take necessary precautions around your home by protecting your pipes, plants, pets or other sensitive belongings outdoors. 

Finally, with cold weather comes the risk of wintry weather as well as we start next work week. Right now, models are starting to suggest the potential for snow or ice across parts of Texas, including the Houston area next Tuesday.  There is still a degree of uncertainty, but both weather models as of 6 p.m. Thursday are coming into agreement that we could see wintry precipitation in southeast Texas Monday evening into Tuesday morning. 

The National Weather Service has consolidated and simplified the way cold weather alerts are relayed to the public. While the subtropical climate of Southeast Texas leaves us with a few snow or ice days during the winter season, it is still possible for people, plants, and animals to face hazards from extremely cold conditions. 

Before Oct. 1, 2024, NWS had two separate alerts for “freeze” and “hard freeze” watches and warnings. Hard freeze watches and warnings will no longer exist. NWS has consolidated freezing temperature criteria into simply “freeze” watches and warnings.  

The National Weather Service defines a Freeze Warning as when temperatures are forecasted to drop below 32˚ for a long period. These conditions could kill certain types of commercial crops and residential plants. When temperatures drop below 28˚for an extended period of time, they could kill most commercial crops and residential plants. 

A Freeze Watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures expected within the next 24-36 hours. A Freeze Watch is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season and in the spring at the start of the growing season.  

You will also no longer see or hear “wind chill watch” or “wind chill warning.” Instead, they will consolidate dangerously cold wind chill alerts into “Extreme Cold Watch” and “Extreme Cold Warning.”   

In Houston, an Extreme Cold Watch is issued when it is possible for areas to experience wind chill values at 15˚or lower. An Extreme Cold Warning is when it is imminent for areas to experience wind chill values at 15˚ or lower.