An arctic cold front is expected this weekend, likely bringing freezing rain, icy roads, and hard freezes to Harris County early next week. Below you’ll find what to expect, how to prepare, and how to stay connected. Please share inclement weather preparation with your residents, clients, students, homeless veterans, elderly veterans, your battalion troops and everyone else you know.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFORMATION
As of Tuesday, the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Office forecasts a "strong cold front" to make its way into the greater Houston area late Friday into Saturday. The front is expected to usher in the coldest temperatures of the season so far this year, according to NWS. A hard freeze — with temperatures of 24 degrees or lower — is possible for parts of the region on Saturday and Sunday nights.
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Office
A forecast released by the National Weather Service on Monday, Jan. 19, 2025.
Cameron Batiste, the lead meteorologist at the Houston/Galveston NWS Office, said Tuesday morning that while freezing temperatures are expected, the chance for precipitation remains more uncertain.
"If any precipitation does fall to the surface, if it's frozen, it will likely be a mixture of freezing rain or sleet, so we're not expecting to see any snow in the Houston area for this forecast," Batiste said. "The main window for potential winter weather impacts is going to be Saturday into Sunday."
According to the NWS's Monday forecast, Houston can expect an approximately 70% chance of rain on Saturday, with a less than 10% chance of freezing rain, snow or sleet beginning Saturday into early Monday.
"So what we have in the forecast for now for the Houston area Saturday night into Sunday morning is low temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s, then again on Sunday night into Monday morning [with] upper 20s to low 30s," Batiste said. "So, be sure to protect the four Ps: people, pets, pipes and plants. Make sure your loved ones are checked on. Make sure you have ways to stay warm as well."
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Office
A forecast released by the National Weather Service on Monday, Jan. 19, 2025.
The NWS will continue to release updates throughout the week as a more certain forecast comes into focus.
HARRIS COUNTY INFORMATION
What to Expect
An arctic cold front will move through Harris County starting Friday night.
Freezing rain and icy conditions are possible from late Saturday evening until midday Sunday.
Hard freezes are likely (with temperatures below 24 degrees) on Monday and Tuesday mornings, possibly impacting people, homes, and infrastructure.
Residents are encouraged to complete preparations by Friday afternoon.
Protect the Four P’s: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants
People:
Stay indoors as much as possible and limit travel (ice will be hard to see and can lead to serious injuries)
Wear layers, including gloves and a hat, to retain body heat
Check on older adults, neighbors, and anyone who may need extra help staying warm
Pets:
Bring pets inside and move other animals or livestock to sheltered area.
Ensure access to adequate food, water, and a warm place to rest
Pipes:
Open cabinets under sinks to allow warm air to circulate
Check with your water provider about dripping faucets
Insulate outdoor faucets and exposed pipes, disconnect garden hoses, and turn off and drain sprinklers
Plants:
Cover plants with fabric or light blankets, using plastic on top if needed
Bring potted plants inside or store them in a garage near the interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
More winter preparation guidance is available at ReadyHarris.org.
Actions from the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County Precinct One
We are taking steps to support community safety:
Parks will be open to the public on Saturday with limited facility access. Portapotties will be available for restroom usage. Parks will be closed Sunday. A decision will be made on Sunday whether they will reopen on Monday.
Programming at community centers is delayed until noon on Monday (these closures may be extended depending on the forecast)
Shelter: We are working with Harris County Emergency Management and Red Cross to open an overnight shelter at Lincoln Park Community Center (located 979 Grenshaw, Houston, TX 77088). Time: TBD (weather dependent).
Roads and bridges: We are treating roads and bridges to reduce ice buildup; we will close roads and bridges when conditions become unsafe.
We will be sharing updates through text alerts, email, www.HCP1.net, and social media
Map of Harris County and City of Houston shelters and warming centers
American Red Cross Shelters (in collaboration with Harris County)
These shelters will have meals and sleeping accommodation for residents (cots and blankets). These shelters are opening at noon on Saturday, January 24. All shelters can have pets.
Lincoln Park Community Center, 979 Grenshaw St., Houston, TX 77088
Felix Baldree Community Center, 13828 Corpus Christi St., Houston, TX 77015
Deputy Almendarez Community Center, 10918 1/2 Bentley St, Houston, TX 77093
Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77074
Overnight Warming Centers (City of Houston)
These overnight warming centers will not have sleeping accommodations (cots) but will have blankets, snacks, and water. These shelters are opening at 5:00 PM on Saturday, January 24 until Tuesday afternoon, January 27 (24 hours per day).
Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77091
Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market St, Houston, TX 77007
Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center, 4014 Market St, Houston, TX 77007
Fonde Community Center, 110 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007
Kashmere Multi-Service Center, 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX 77026
Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol St, Houston, TX 77011
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
Moody Community Center, 3725 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009
Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding St, Houston, TX 77016
Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Dr, Houston, TX 77074
Sunnyside Community Center, 3502 Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77051
Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis St, Houston, TX 77004
Trusted Sources for Updates and Assistance
Ready Harris for alerts and preparedness tips
Houston TranStar for road conditions
National Weather Service for regional forecasts
Houston Office of Emergency Management for city updates
United Way’s 211 Helpline for assistance and resources
Heater Safety Reminders
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable
Turn off space heaters and ensure fireplace embers are out before sleeping or leaving a room
Never use ovens or stoves to heat your home
Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors
Use generators outdoors only and never connect them directly to home wiring
If You Lose Power or Heat
Plan now for possible outages during the freeze
Keep flashlights, batteries, medications, and essential supplies accessible
Have enough food and water on hand for the weekend
Check ReadyHarris.org for guidance if conditions worsen
If You Must Drive
Avoid travel, if possible, especially overnight and early morning
Bridges and overpasses freeze first and can become slick quickly
Check road conditions before leaving at HoustonTranStar.org or DriveTexas.org
Keep a phone charger, blankets, and basic emergency supplies in your vehicle.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY INFORMATION
Stay informed and prepared
CenterPoint Energy is closely monitoring a winter weather system forecasted to bring freezing temperatures and potential ice accumulation across the Greater Houston area starting tonight, Jan. 24. Our teams have activated emergency operations and mobilized thousands of workers to respond to service interruptions caused by the freeze. For more information on the actions we are taking to prepare, as well as safety and preparedness resources, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter. Get notified by text! Manage your notification preferences at: http://CenterPointEnergy.com/PowerAlertService To opt out of future notifications, please call 713-207-2222.
We encourage all customers to activate their emergency plans and stay safe during severe winter weather, especially those who rely on power for life-sustaining equipment or medical needs. Review our Winter Energy Guide for more tips.
Action Center offers resources for severe weather preparedness, safety tips, outage updates and restoration information
Stay up to date on outages with our Outage Tracker
Enroll in Power Alert Service® for individual outage updates
Visit the National Weather Service to monitor weather forecasts
Follow us on X at CenterPoint_TX for general updates
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
How to safely heat your home during Houston freeze
Author: KHOU 11 Staff, Michelle Homer
HOUSTON — Potentially dangerous cold weather is headed to the Houston area, which means you're probably cranking up those heating devices.
Keeping your home warm is essential during the freeze because it not only prevents you from freezing but also helps protect pipes from bursting.
As you find ways to get cozy, here are important tips to keep you and your family safe while heating your home.
Fireplace and wood stove safety tips
Tips provided by the National Weather Service and American Red Cross
Make sure the damper is open
Use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters. Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
Always keep a screen around an open flame
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from your fireplace or wood stove.
Do not burn paper in your fireplace or wood stove.
Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home; never leave a fireplace unattended
Never use gasoline to start your fireplace.
Never burn charcoal indoors.
Put ashes in a metal container with a lid. Place the container outside at least 10 feet from your home.
Have furnaces, chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves inspected annually by a professional
Space heater safety tips
Space heaters are most often responsible for home heating fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
If you plan to use a space heater, the American Red Cross suggests:
Never leave it unattended
Plug space heater power cords directly into outlets, not extension cords or power surge plugs.
Keep children, pets and anything that can burn at least three feet away from the heater. In other words, give your space heater space.
"Meaning that all space heaters should be placed on the ground three feet away from all combustibles, such as blankets, towels, bedding, curtain, anything that's flammable," advised HFD Captain Sedrick Robinett.
Generator Safety Tips
Generators emit carbon monoxide — a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal if inhaled.
"Carbon monoxide is the silent killer, it's tasteless, can't smell it, can't see it, it sneaks up on you," Capt. Robinette warned.
The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management shared some tips to safely use generators:
Only use generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents.
Never operate a generator inside a home, garage, or any enclosed space.
Avoid improvised heating: Do not use charcoal grills, camp stoves, or gas ovens to heat your home. These devices can produce dangerous levels of CO.
Check CO detectors: Ensure that your carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. If you do not have a CO detector, it is crucial to install one as soon as possible.
Recognize CO poisoning symptoms: Symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
If you think you might have CO poisoning, here's what you should do:
Move to fresh air immediately: If you or someone else shows symptoms of CO poisoning, move to an open area with fresh air right away.
Call 911: Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Explain that you suspect CO poisoning.
Do not re-enter the premises: Do not go back inside the affected area until emergency services have declared it safe.
For more information, visit the Houston OEM website by clicking here.
Additional Federal Resources
Local Emergency Phone Numbers
Roadside Assistance 1-800-525-5555
TxDOT statewide road closures 1-800-452-9292
Local Shelters and Warming Centers
Travel Safety
Monitor road conditions daily by visiting https://www.houstontranstar.org and be ready to adjust travel times.
Statewide road conditions are available at https://drivetexas.org.
Additional Local Resource Weblinks
Additional State Resources
The State of Texas Emergency Registry (STEAR)
Utility Resources
Important National Assistance Phone Numbers
211—Community services and information (assistance with damages)
311—Municipal government services (report debris)
411—Directory assistance
511—Traffic information
611—Phone company
711—TDD and Relay for the Deaf
811—Call before you dig (Underground public utility location)
911—Emergency services (police, fire, EMS)