Santa is going to have to work hard for his cookies this year, as a hard freeze is predicted to settle into the Houston area leading up to Christmas. People are advised to prepare ahead of time for the cold conditions.
Local temperatures could rival the lows of the 2021 winter storm, during which the combination of abnormally icy conditions and high demand for energy across the state led to power outages lasting several days and resulting in the deaths of more than 240 Texans.
Local utilities and the state power grid operator said they're more prepared this winter than they were in 2021.
What to expect before and during Houston's hard freeze
Even before the freeze hits, the Houston area should see light rain Tuesday morning. The rest of the day is expected to be dry and cloudy, with temperatures in the mid-50s, according to the National Weather Service.
READ MORE: Freezing temperatures will hit Houston this week. Here's how to prepare.
Wednesday will see similar temperatures and cloudy skies, meteorologists said.
But Thursday is when the significant shift is expected to begin.
There should be a daytime high temperature of 61 degrees under clear skies before temperatures drop in the afternoon or evening. Cold, dry, Arctic air is expected to push into the Houston area, bringing with it prolonged freezing conditions, according to the National Weather Service forecast discussion.
Winds may reach 40 mph with sustained wind speeds around 20 mph or 30 mph, bringing an added wind chill factor to the temperature. Stronger winds can be expected near the coast, according to the weather service.
In Houston, the weather service forecasts a low of 13 degrees Thursday night when taking wind chill into account, and overnight temperatures could feel like 2 degrees before warming slightly to 4 degrees by 9 a.m. Friday.
Friday likely will be the coldest day of the freeze, according to the weather service. The high temperature is expected to be around 30 degrees while the low temperatures will drop to about 20 degrees, maintaining the freeze.
The temperature with the added wind could create sub-zero wind chills, according to the weather service.
How long will the Houston freeze last?
Houston area residents can expect the freeze to last more than 36 hours.
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With the freeze anticipated to set in for a prolonged period, residents are advised to plan care for their family, pets, plants and pipes.
During freezing temperatures, it's possible for pipes to freeze and rupture when thawing, causing damage to your home. To prevent that, open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let the warmth of your house reach your walls and water pipes. Installing insulation around your indoor and outdoor pipes also can keep them from freezing.
However, if you live in Houston, Houston Public Works cautions against leaving your faucets dripping during freezing weather. While some recommend doing so to keep water moving, the technique can cause harm to Houston's water system.
"Houston’s water system is different than other systems in the we don’t use water towers to provide pressure to the system. We use ground storage tanks (and) pumps. Dripping the system can stress pumps and cause system wide pressure issues, (and) possibly lead to a boil water notice," the utility said during the 2021 winter freeze.
Sprinkler systems should be turned off and drained before the freeze, the weather service advises. If you're leaving Houston for the holidays, you may also want to consider turning your water off completely and running every faucet in your home until nothing comes out to ensure there's no water left in your pipes to freeze.
Outdoor pets should be brought inside if possible, and some type of shelter should be built for any pets or livestock that can't be brought inside, to keep them out of the wind and cold. The temperatures may be cold enough to kill animals left outside without proper shelter, according to meteorologist Eric Berger, editor of Space City Weather.
ENERGY: ERCOT expects to have enough power ahead of possible freeze
Protecting your plants with plant covers ahead of Thursday can help lock in some heat to help them survive, according to the weather service. If you have potted outdoor plants, consider moving them inside for the duration of the freeze.
The weather service warned Houston area residents should have extra blankets and layers on hand in case the power goes out.
Be careful when using fireplaces or portable generators for warmth. During the 2021 winter storm, some Texans died after fires they set to stay warm got out of control, and more than 300 people were admitted to Houston-area hospitals with carbon monoxide poisoning during the 2021 freeze. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, don't light barbecue pits, portable gas stoves or use fuels like diesel, charcoal and gasoline indoors. Doing so can build up carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can cause neurological damage or even death. Make sure your home is equipped with a carbon monoxide detector.
If you go outside during the freeze, make sure you're wearing adequate winter clothing or layers. Being exposed to extreme cold can lead to frostbite or hypothermia. The parts of your body most susceptible to frostbite are your hands, feet and any skin directly exposed to the cold air.
What to expect on Christmas Day in Houston
Temperatures should pick up Saturday with a sunny high of 38 degrees, but at night the temp will again fall to the mid-20s.
Christmas Day will see a high near 44 degrees, according to the weather service. It is expected to be a chilly but sunny day.
Officials from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state's nonprofit grid operator, have said it expects to have enough power to meet demand during the cold snap coming this week. Last week, ERCOT issued a notice to power generators in the state to be online and ready to provide power Dec. 22 through Dec. 26.
Since the 2021 winter storm, ERCOT also has taken steps to weatherize its facilities and create practices to bring more generators online when the amount of demand puts stress on the state power grid.
December 20, 2022 at 07:06PM
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Houston weather: Freeze to arrive Thursday, preparation advised - Houston Chronicle
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