Freeze Warning Issued Across Texas as Winter Arrives
Texans are bracing for their first significant cold snap of the season as a frigid weather system sweeps across the Lone Star State. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a freeze warning for portions of southwestern, central, and southeast Texas, starting at 3 a.m. and lasting until 8 a.m. CT on Wednesday.
The freeze warning encompasses a wide area, including counties near Houston such as Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Washington. Additional regions under the warning stretch across much of southern Texas, from Travis and Bexar counties to Midland and Odessa.
Temperatures during this period are expected to plunge to between 28 and 35 degrees, posing risks of frost and freeze damage to plants, animals, and utilities. The NWS has urged residents to take precautions, such as bringing pets indoors, covering delicate vegetation, and checking on elderly family members and neighbors. “Make sure to protect tender plants or sensitive vegetation from the cold,” forecasters advised.
Harris County, including Houston, is not expected to experience widespread freezing conditions, though northern and western areas may see temperatures dip into the 30s overnight. By Wednesday afternoon, temperatures in Houston should warm to around 60 degrees under sunny skies. However, another cold snap is anticipated Wednesday evening, with the possibility of additional freeze watches or warnings early Thursday morning.
After an unusually warm fall, Southeast Texas is finally feeling the arrival of winter, prompting Houstonians to begin preparations for the colder months ahead. While the chill may be a stark contrast to the recent 80-degree days, it signals the seasonal shift Texans have been waiting for.