An arctic cold front is expected to push its way into Texas late this week, possibly bringing freezing or near-freezing temperatures into the Houston area over the weekend, but the chances of snow are currently low.
As of Tuesday, the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Office forecasts a “strong cold front” to make its way into the greater Houston area late Friday into Saturday. The front is expected to usher in the coldest temperatures of the season so far this year, according to NWS. A hard freeze — with temperatures of 24 degrees or lower — is possible for parts of the region on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Cameron Batiste, the lead meteorologist at the Houston/Galveston NWS Office, said Tuesday morning that while freezing temperatures are expected, the chance for precipitation remains more uncertain.
“If any precipitation does fall to the surface, if it’s frozen, it will likely be a mixture of freezing rain or sleet, so we’re not expecting to see any snow in the Houston area for this forecast,” Batiste said. “The main window for potential winter weather impacts is going to be Saturday into Sunday.”
According to the NWS’s Monday forecast, Houston can expect an approximately 70% chance of rain on Saturday, with a less than 10% chance of freezing rain, snow or sleet beginning Saturday into early Monday.
“So what we have in the forecast for now for the Houston area Saturday night into Sunday morning is low temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s, then again on Sunday night into Monday morning [with] upper 20s to low 30s,” Batiste said. “So, be sure to protect the four Ps: people, pets, pipes and plants. Make sure your loved ones are checked on. Make sure you have ways to stay warm as well.”
The NWS will continue to release updates throughout the week as a more certain forecast comes into focus.
Houston Public Media’s Rob Salinas contributed to this article.
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