As the state prepares for a wave of winter weather, Greater Houston area officials are also urging caution and preparedness ahead of potential weather impacts.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, the Greater Houston area will be under a winter storm watch Jan. 24-25. However, an extreme cold watch will run from Jan. 24-26, and the NWS said residents can expect the following conditions over the weekend:
  • Potential freezing rain
  • A tenth of an inch of ice or greater
  • Localized power outages
  • Wind chills ranging from 5-15 degrees
Residents are urged by local officials to begin preparations ahead of the winter weather forecast. (Courtesy National Weather Service)
Residents are asked to take preventative measures ahead of the weather impacting the area.

“With another winter storm on the horizon, I’m calling on every Texan to take preparation seriously,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said in a Jan. 21 news release. “Taking a few simple steps now can save lives, prevent losses, and spare families and producers a lot of heartache.”

Residents are encouraged to stock up on batteries, nonperishable goods and bottled water in case of any extended power outages.


“While we hope for the best, the city is planning for the worst,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in an announcement on social media. "Starting Saturday at noon, arctic freeze conditions could last up to 48 hours. Residents should prepare now by wrapping exposed pipes and, if possible, shutting off water and draining pipes by Saturday afternoon.”

Whitmire confirmed the city will also be opening 12 warming centers starting Jan. 24-27, but he has not released a list of where the centers will be located as of press time.

What’s being done

According to Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office, crews are prepping for any response needed due to the weather.


“Our brine trucks are prepped for the upcoming cold weather, ensuring that when the cold drops, our team is ready to hit the pavement and keep the roads safe,” officials with Ramsey’s office said in a social media post.

Local energy companies CenterPoint Energy and Entergy Texas announced they have also begun winterization efforts ahead of the forecast.
  • “Our CenterPoint teams are mobilized, performing pre-storm checks, and ready to respond to winter weather conditions on both the electric and gas systems,” said Don Daigler, CenterPoint’s senior vice president of emergency preparedness and response. “We have activated the company’s Emergency Operations Center and are coordinating with government and industry stakeholders to be ready to respond to any impacts from the forecasted conditions, including icy weather, strong winds, and wintry precipitation.”
  • “Our teams are ready and closely monitoring conditions. We’re adjusting resources based on the latest forecasts to help ensure reliable service,” Entergy officials said in a Jan. 20 news release. “Each year, before temperatures drop, we prepare our system through proactive winterization efforts.”
What else?

With the forecast, a number of events have already been postponed, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo annual job fair.

Events that have been delayed so far include:
  • Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Job Fair: postponed to Feb. 1, 1-5 p.m.
  • Tomball ISD Rodeo Art Show: postponed to Feb. 7, noon
  • Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Ball: postponed to Feb. 20, 6-11 p.m.