winter storm warning Archives

More Bitter Cold This Morning, Freezing Rain Later Today

Wind Chill Warning Remains in Effect until Noon Today with Bitter Cold in Place.

Freezing rain likely north of US 59 tonight into early Wednesday with accumulations of ice

Travel conditions will deteriorate this evening into Wednesday morning

Winter Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening along and north of US 59

10 Degrees at 7AM

As of 6 AM, my thermometer in Kingwood reads 10 degrees. A very cold arctic air mass filtered into place overnight. Temperatures throughout the region now range from the low to mid teens and even colder north of Conroe. But the worst is almost over.

Conditions Later Tuesday

Temperatures will improve somewhat throughout the day, but that doesn’t mean the danger has passed. According to Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner, another upper level storm system will quickly approach from the west today and collide with a coastal low. Moisture will move northward into the cold air mass and produce freezing rain. Expect the freezing line to extend from Matagorda Bay to Downtown Houston to Winnie tonight and then slowly move northward on Wednesday. The exact location of the freezing line at any given time remains uncertain. But it will affect the type of precipitation you get in different areas throughout the storm.

“Expect ice accumulations tonight along and north of US 59 of .05 to .15 of an inch,” said Lindner.” Again, the most significant impacts will be to bridges and overpasses. But impacts to trees and power lines are also possible – especially for areas that get closer to the .10-.15 amounts.”

Warmer Wednesday But More Rain, Possibly Freezing

As the freezing lines moves north on Wednesday during the day, it will likely reach a line from Columbus to The Woodlands to Liberty. Freezing rain will likely change to rain for the metro area. Areas along and north of HWY 105 may remain below freezing for the entire event. “Expect significant and potentially extremely damaging ice accumulations of ¼ to ¾ of an inch in those areas,” says Lindner.

The freezing line will then move back southward Wednesday evening. Much of the area, except for the coastal counties will likely fall back below freezing. Yet another disturbance will approach and could produce a final round of light sleet or snow over portions of the area Wednesday night/early Thursday. Any left over water on roads from the Wednesday rains will likely refreeze Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.

For the complete National Weather Service Forecast, click here.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/16/2021 at 7AM based on info by Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist and the NWS

1267 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Travel Conditions Will Become Nearly Impossible Overnight; Wind Chills Will Dip into Single Digits

As of 10PM, travel conditions are becoming increasingly more difficult with the winter storm.

The freezing line has progressed to near the coast with upper 10’s spreading into the northern areas and mid 20’s into NW Harris County. Widespread freezing rain and sleet continues with accumulations in progress.

Roads have become extremely dangerous north of I-10 and most freeways have ice.

Freezing and frozen precipitation will continue for the next 8-12 hours. Gradually, the freezing rain will transition to more sleet and snow from NW to SE early Monday. Temperatures will fall into the mid-teens over much of the region overnight. Wind chills will dip into the single digits and below zero by morning.

Travel conditions will become nearly impossible overnight. Everyone should remain at their current location
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist

Posted by Bob Rehak at 10PM 2/14/2021 based on info by NWS and HCFCD

1265 Days after Hurricane Harvey

Dangerous Storm Bringing Quarter Inch of Ice, Two Inches of Snow, Single-Digit Temps To Houston

A dangerous winter storm will move into the region starting late this afternoon lasting into Monday with crippling travel impacts.

Extraordinary cold for Monday and Tuesday

Second winter storm possible over portions of the area Tuesday night-Thursday morning

Discussion

Freezing line has progressed southeast overnight and extends from near Conroe to Cypress to Katy to Victoria. Light freezing rain and freezing drizzle has developed over parts of the area NW of the freezing line this morning and this is resulting in patchy ice forming on some bridges and overpasses across northwest Harris County and more widespread issues to the north and west. Travel to the north and west of Harris County is becoming dangerous and is ill advised.

Periods of light precipitation will be possible today with temperatures rising remaining below freezing generally NW of a Huntsville to Conroe to Hempstead to Wharton line and mid to upper 30’s south of that line.

A powerful upper level storm system will move across Texas tonight into Monday resulting in a significant and high impact winter storm. Strong arctic front will arrive this evening resulting in quickly falling temperatures along the development of widespread precipitation. Expect freezing rain to develop by late afternoon and early evening across much of the area and then transition to sleet and snow across much of the area late tonight into Monday. High resolution models continue to come in with a bit more snow over the area.

Accumulations:

Precipitation will onset late this afternoon and early this evening for most areas

Ice:

1/10 to 1/4 of an inch across most areas, especially the US 59 corridor

Snow:

4-6 inches: Houston and Trinity Counties
3-4 inches: College Station to Huntsville
2-3 inches: north of a line from Cleveland to Conroe to Hempstead to Columbus
1-2 inches: north of a line from Liberty to Houston to Sugar Land to Wharton
Less than an inch: south of a line from Winnie to League City to Bay City

Impacts

Travel:

Ice and snow falling with temperatures falling into the low 20’s and upper 10’s Monday morning will result in near impossible travel on all surfaces…this includes surface streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. Anyone attempting to travel has a high potential of becoming stranded…and the simple message is where you area Sunday evening is where you are going to be Tuesday.

Power:

Ice accumulations are right on the border between isolated and sporadic power outages and more significant widespread outages. Even with the marginal ice accumulations for widespread power disruption, winds of 15-25mph may be the key factor that pushes tree limbs and power lines past their breaking point. Residents should be prepared for power outages.

Historic Cold:

A most memorable cold air outbreak will accompany the winter precipitation. Temperatures will fall below freezing Sunday evening for many areas and remain below freezing into Tuesday and Wednesday…it is possible that areas from College Station to Huntsville do not get above freezing until Friday. The long duration of the sub-freezing temperatures along with the brutal intensity of the cold air mass is going to create extensive damage across the region to vegetation and infrastructure.

Expect most areas to fall into the 10’s and low 20’s on Monday (coast in the upper 20’s) and then continue to fall Monday night and bottom out with lows in the upper 1’s and low 10’s north of I-10 and upper 10’s and low 20’s near the beaches. College Station to Huntsville looking like lower to middle 1’s. Wind chills Monday night will fall into the -10’s and -1’s across much of the area.

This is life threatening cold and persons should limit outside exposure to short periods of time to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.

Lastly, given the intensity and duration of the cold, portions of lakes and ponds, stock ponds, and other small water bodies, etc. may freeze over with a layer of ice…DO NOT attempt to walk on any frozen water body as the ice will not be thick enough to support a person.

Time is running out to prepare for the extreme cold…have all preparations completed by this afternoon.
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist

Preparations

Protect all and any exposed pipes, shut off and drain sprinkler systems. Open cabinet doors and closet doors to get as much heat against outside facing wall pipes as possible starting Sunday night. In some cases the best course of action may be to shut off water to a structure and drain pipes overnight when water usage is low to avoid pipes freezing and bursting.
Heavily cover and protect any tropical vegetation, citrus, or vulnerable plants. Given the intensity and depth of the freezing conditions this will likely be a killing freeze for much of the tropical landscape of this region.
Pets and livestock should have proper shelter, feed, and water. Normal water supplies will likely freeze over including stock ponds and lakes.
Persons should plan to limit outdoor exposure Monday and Tuesday as wind chills will be dangerously cold for our region. Prolonged exposure could result in frostbite and hypothermia.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/14/2021 based on information provided by Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist

1265 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Winter Storm Watch Upgraded to Warning; Starts 9PM Tonight

Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist reports that the winter-storm watch has now been upgraded to a winter-storm warning and that it will start at 9PM tonight. The winter storm will create severe travel hazards Sunday and Monday. He also warns that extreme cold on Monday and Tuesday will create widespread challenges.

A disturbance this evening and overnight will shift the freezing line southward. Precipitation will likely develop late this afternoon and evening over the area and linger into Sunday morning. Areas northwest of the freezing line will likely see accumulations of ice on bridges and overpasses and all elevated surfaces. Hence the Winter storm warning start time has moved up to 9 PM this evening. Travel conditions will likely become hazardous overnight. All precautions for the upcoming extreme cold should be completed today.

Sunday afternoon-Monday midday:

A much stronger upper-level storm system will move across Texas during this time. It will result in widespread freezing and frozen precipitation. Beginning late Sunday afternoon, the second wave will overspread the entire area by Sunday evening. Expect a mixture of freezing rain, sleet and snow across much of the entire area with more freezing rain along and south of I-10 and more sleet and snow north of I-10.

The latest models indicate more snow and sleet than previously expected. North winds of 15-25mph Sunday into Monday will add extra stress against ice coated trees and power lines. It could result in power outages.

Accumulations

Freezing rain: 1/10^th to 1/4^th an inch over much of the area, especially the US 59 corridor

Sleet: ½ to 1 inch mainly north of I-10

Snow: 1-2 inches north of I-10, 2-4 inches north of HWY 105

Much of the area will see a period of freezing rain with temperatures in the mid 20’s so a layer of ice will be formed below any sleet or snow.

Travel starting Sunday evening will become nearly impossible, says Lindner. Anyone attempting to travel should be prepared to become stranded on roadways.

Record-Breaking Cold Monday-Tuesday

Record breaking cold is likely. Temperatures will fall below freezing Sunday afternoon and likely remain below freezing into Wednesday. Models now indicate 8/9 instead of 11/13 for all areas north of I-10. Waller and Montgomery counties northward could see temperatures near 1 degree.

The cold will result in devastating impacts to infrastructure and vegetation.
Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner

Wind chills Monday afternoon into Tuesday will fall near zero over the entire area. Limit time outdoors and make sure you cover exposed skin.

Preparations to Mitigate Against Property Damage

Protect exposed pipes
Shut off and drain sprinkler systems.
Open cabinet doors and closet doors to get as much heat against outside facing wall pipes as possible starting Sunday night.
In some cases the best course of action may be to shut off water to a structure and drain pipes overnight when water usage is low to avoid pipes freezing and bursting.
Heavily cover and protect any tropical vegetation, citrus, or vulnerable plants. Given the intensity and depth of the freezing conditions this will likely be a killing freeze for much of the tropical landscape of this region.
Pets and livestock should have proper shelter, feed, and water. Normal water supplies will likely freeze over including stock ponds and lakes.
Limit outdoor exposure Monday and Tuesday as wind chills will be dangerously cold for our region. Prolonged exposure could result in frostbite and hypothermia.
Keep a blanket in your car and make sure you have an ice scraper for your windows.

Detailed Forecast for Harris County

The winter storm warning will span several days.

Today: Cloudy with a 30% chance of afternoon and evening light rain and drizzle. High in the upper 30’s. N wind 10-15mph

Sunday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of light rain or drizzle early then a chance of freezing rain and sleet by evening. Temperatures steady in the mid 30’s. N wind 15-20mph. Wind chills in the 10’s and 20’s.

Monday: Cloudy with a 100% chance of freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Ice accumulation of up to 1/4^th an inch and snow accumulation of 1-2 inches. Temperatures steady in the mid 20’s. N wind 15-25mph. Wind chills in the 10’s.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy with a low in the low to mid 10’s and high near 30. N wind 5-10mph. Wind chills 1’s.

Wednesday: Cloudy with a 60% chance of precipitation. Low in the mid 20’s and high in the mid 30’s. NE wind 10-15mph.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/13/2021 based on forecast by Jeff Lindner

1264 Days after Hurricane Harvey

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