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HOUSTON - Residents in the Houston area are waking up to freezing temperatures on Monday morning as an extreme cold warning remains in effect for the entire area.
Several school districts are closed, and some icy spots have been reported on roadways. Here are the latest updates.
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FOX 26 will bring you the latest updates on the winter storm, what you need to do to prepare and how local and state officials are getting ready. Watch in the live player above or on the free FOX Local app for your smart TV and phone.
LIVE UPDATES: Houston Winter Storm
8 a.m. Monday weather forecast
Houston and all of Texas remain in the grips of a very cold Arctic air mass today. Morning temperatures were solidly below freezing, with wind chills in the teens. A few lingering icy patches remain a concern, especially across northern and western counties, but they are not a widespread problem.
While sunshine should help most areas climb above freezing later today, the cold remains a threat to people, pets, plants and pipes tonight as lows will plunge to the 20s again.
A gradual warming trend is expected to unfold through Thursday, but this is not a quick warmup. Afternoon temperatures slowly recover into the 40s and lower 50s, while overnight lows remain a concern. Another hard freeze will occur tonight, followed by lighter but still widespread freezes Tuesday and Wednesday nights with lows closer to 32.
Looking ahead to late week, the pattern remains wintry with another strong cold front is expected to move through on Friday, bringing a chance of rain and setting the stage for another round of cold air by the weekend. Forecast confidence on exact temperatures is still low, but the latest models indicate sub-freezing temperatures again.
So far, it looks like showers on Friday will move out before cold air moves it, so no ice is looking likely just yet, but it's something to monitor closely throughout the week.
7 a.m. HCSO monitoring conditions
Around 6:30 a.m., Sheriff Ed Gonzalez shared this update on X: "We’re continuing to monitor the extreme cold temperatures across Harris County. At this time, our @HCSOTexas operations remain steady, call-for-service volume is low, and we have no reported vehicle crashes. That’s a good sign and a credit to our community for taking precautions. We’ll keep assessing conditions and will share updates as needed. Please continue to use caution if you’re out and check on neighbors who may need assistance."
6 a.m. Freezing temps Monday morning
Monday morning brings frigid temperatures in the 20s and wind chills in the low teens. Expect the day later to be partly sunny and cold with highs close to 40.
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Freezing cold morning in Houston: Monday forecast
Frigid this morning with temperatures in the 20s and wind chills in the low teens, then partly sunny and cold with highs close to 40.
4:45 a.m. Extreme Cold Warning
An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect for all of Southeast Texas. Temperatures have dipped into the 20s overnight, with colder wind chill values. This kind of cold can cause hypothermia quickly and may rupture water pipes if not protected. Don't forget to bring your pets inside and check on elderly neighbors
4:30 a.m. Schools closed Monday
Dozens of Houston-area school districts are closed on Monday due to the winter storm. Click here to see the list.
4 a.m. Icy spots reported on Houston roads
Houston Transtar is reporting some icy spots on Houston-area roads Monday morning. If you have to drive, do so carefully. Check this list of reported trouble spots.
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Houston school closures
Several Houston-area school districts have opted to stay closed on Monday. The list includes Houston ISD, Spring ISD, Aldine ISD, Katy ISD, Cy-Fair ISD and many more.
Track icy road conditions
If the roads are icy, the best thing you can do is stay home. If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.
- Live Map: Check real-time Houston road conditions and closures.
- Safety: Read our winter driving guide.
How to check, report power outages
Eyes are on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the state's power grid. ERCOT said last week that it expects ample supply to meet power demands this winter.
Locally, CenterPoint Energy and Entergy Texas have both said that they have made preparations ahead of the winter storm and have resources in place to respond to potential restoration efforts.
Shelters and warming centers
If you need a place to warm up, city and county officials will open warming centers once the temperatures drop.
Protect the 4 Ps
As the winter storm bears down on Houston, it’s important to protect the four P’s: Pipes, Pets, Plants, and People.
Make sure you have enough food, water and medication in case you can’t leave your home for a few days.
Also, make sure you are heating your home safely and not creating a fire or carbon monoxide danger.
The Source: Forecast information in this article comes from the FOX 26 weather team. Information on how to prepare and important resources comes from various state and local officials.