Need to know
- Cold air is firmly in place after a strong cold front moved through the region
- Windy conditions continue, with gusts between 20 and 25 mph inland
- A Freeze Warning is in effect tonight for much of Southeast Texas until 9 a.m. Monday.
- Wind chills will fall into the 20s for many areas overnight
- Strong winds are creating hazardous marine conditions
- Prepare for a bitterly cold start Monday morning
Get ready for a bitterly cold start Monday
Temperatures will struggle to warm today, with many locations staying chilly through the afternoon. Highs will remain in the upper 40s to low 50s. Strong north winds will gust between 20 and 25 mph inland and 30 to 35 mph along the coast. Once the sun sets, winds will gradually weaken but remain slightly breezy.
Sunday night into early Monday morning will mark the coldest period of the week. A Freeze Warning is in effect for the following counties: Harris, Fort Bend, Brazos, Waller, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Liberty, Austin, Colorado, Grimes, and Burleson.
Areas north of the warning are also expected to fall below freezing. However, because those locations have already experienced their first freeze of the season, they are not included in the alert.
As the frigid air settles in overnight, wind chills are expected to dip into the 20s across much of Southeast Texas. Anyone heading out early Monday morning should dress in full winter gear, including hats, gloves, scarves and heavy coats.
How to prepare for the freeze
There is still time to prepare before temperatures drop overnight. Conditions will remain cold and breezy through the day. Take these steps by Sunday night:
- People: Check on those without reliable heat
- Pets: Bring animals indoors
- Plants: Protect sensitive vegetation
- Pipes: Wrap or drip exposed pipes, especially in colder outlying areas
Most locations should climb back above freezing by mid to late Monday morning. morning.
What about the rest of the week
After Monday, temperatures will begin a slow rebound. Monday night will remain cold, but most areas should stay above freezing, except for parts of the Piney Woods.
By midweek, highs are expected to return to the 60s and 70s. A weak weather system could bring isolated showers late Tuesday into Wednesday, mainly near the coast. Widespread rain is not expected. Another cold front is possible late in the week, but it currently appears less intense than this one…