A Cold Front Brings Freezing Rain to Southeast Texas: What You Need to Know
Residents in Southeast Texas are bracing for a potentially icy weekend as an arctic front and winter storm move into the region, bringing a threat of freezing rain and hard freeze conditions.
On Wednesday, a mild front will bring scattered thunderstorms and warmer temperatures, with lows in the mid-50s and highs reaching the upper 60s under a cloudy sky. However, the real chill is expected to arrive on Friday as the arctic front sweeps through, bringing a 40% chance of showers and potentially severe travel disruptions.
As the cold air moves in, freezing rain becomes increasingly likely, particularly north of Interstate 10, where it could lead to widespread power outages, icy road conditions, and even prolonged periods below freezing. Some areas may see temperatures drop for more than two days, posing a risk to pipes and infrastructure.
The reason why freezing rain is forecasted instead of snow is due to the shallow arctic air layer, which won't be thick enough to support significant snowfall. Instead, any frozen precipitation will likely fall as freezing rain or sleet.
While it's too early to pinpoint exact details, forecasters expect that Wednesday will bring a clearer picture of what to expect from this winter storm. By Thursday and Friday, they'll iron out the finer points of the forecast.
Residents are advised to prepare for potential disruptions by staying warm, being prepared for travel delays, and taking steps to protect their pipes and homes from the cold. Stay tuned to local weather forecasts for updates and follow ABC13's winter storm coverage for the latest developments.
Residents in Southeast Texas are bracing for a potentially icy weekend as an arctic front and winter storm move into the region, bringing a threat of freezing rain and hard freeze conditions.
On Wednesday, a mild front will bring scattered thunderstorms and warmer temperatures, with lows in the mid-50s and highs reaching the upper 60s under a cloudy sky. However, the real chill is expected to arrive on Friday as the arctic front sweeps through, bringing a 40% chance of showers and potentially severe travel disruptions.
As the cold air moves in, freezing rain becomes increasingly likely, particularly north of Interstate 10, where it could lead to widespread power outages, icy road conditions, and even prolonged periods below freezing. Some areas may see temperatures drop for more than two days, posing a risk to pipes and infrastructure.
The reason why freezing rain is forecasted instead of snow is due to the shallow arctic air layer, which won't be thick enough to support significant snowfall. Instead, any frozen precipitation will likely fall as freezing rain or sleet.
While it's too early to pinpoint exact details, forecasters expect that Wednesday will bring a clearer picture of what to expect from this winter storm. By Thursday and Friday, they'll iron out the finer points of the forecast.
Residents are advised to prepare for potential disruptions by staying warm, being prepared for travel delays, and taking steps to protect their pipes and homes from the cold. Stay tuned to local weather forecasts for updates and follow ABC13's winter storm coverage for the latest developments.
. First, we're supposed to get warmer temps and thunderstorms on Wed, then BAM! A cold front hits and suddenly everyone's worried about freezing rain and power outages 
. Can't they just give us one solid forecast for once? And what's with the "40% chance of showers" nonsense? Does that even mean anything anymore? I swear, these weather folks need to get their act together 
.
that are still a bunch of hooey... I mean, who needs some fancy app telling you what temperature it's outside when you can just look out the window? And now they're gonna be selling us 'ice-melting' products and power strips with built-in surge protectors 
for like $50 each. Just another way to make a quick buck off of people who are already stressed about their pipes freezing 
. Can't we just stick with good ol' fashioned common sense instead of relying on tech to save the day? 
just got my hands on that new smart thermostat thingy, it's insane! Can already imagine how much money I'll save with its super fancy energy-saving algorithm 
. And, omg, have you heard about those smart windows that turn into solar panels when the sun hits them? Game changer for Southeast Texas residents who want to stay warm and cozy while reducing their carbon footprint 
. Definitely gonna be a must-have for my next home renovation project! 
Meanwhile, everyone else is over here building snowmen in their front yards... 
! It's like the worst of both worlds - you can't even see the ice, but it still causes all sorts of problems. I've got a buddy who lives in SE Texas and he's been prepping for this storm by stockpiling food, water, and battery-powered chargers 
Freezing rain instead of snow because the air layer is too shallow, but still super cold 
.
but I think it's kinda cool how nature can just switch up the forecast like that 
. Don't @ me when it snows next Thursday 
freezing rain is like the worst 
i mean i know its not ideal but 40% chance of showers on friday? thats just crazy 
and yeah the roads gonna be a mess 
️ and maybe some good movies to take my mind off things 