HOUSTON – Snow has stopped falling in Houston on Tuesday, but the weather is expected to still be an issue moving forward.
Roads are icing over, schools are closed, businesses have changed their hours and officials are asking the public to stay home and stay safe.
Live updates
9:58 p.m.: Rosenberg Police is reporting that FM 723 over the Brazos River Bridge is now CLOSED due to ice. We are monitoring I-69 for possible closure as well.
9:40 p.m.: From Houston Transtar:
Melted snow is freezing on areas roads creating large patches of BLACK ICE! Multiple major accidents have been tracked across Harris County. These conditions are expected to worsen overnight. Black ice is one of the most dangerous driving hazards. It is nearly impossible to see and often remains invisible until it is TOO LATE. All motorists, including first responders, face significant challenges due to HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS. Longer response times may result. Don’t risk your safety and don’t put first responders at risk. Stay home and off the roads. • Avoid ALL travel tonight through tomorrow morning.
• ONLY call 9-1-1 in the event of life-threatening emergencies.
Monitor road conditions daily by visiting https://www.houstontranstar.org/ and be ready to adjust travel times. Statewide road conditions are available at https://drivetexas.org/.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Extreme Cold Warning, which began at 6 PM today and will continue until 9 AM tomorrow. Dangerously cold wind chill values as low as 10 degrees are expected. Warming Centers: Various partners in Harris County have warming centers available for those who need a place to stay overnight due to adverse weather conditions. Visit www.ReadyHarris.org to find the location nearest you and the latest hours of operations.
9:15 p.m.: I-10 East Freeway mainlanes westbound from Sheldon Road to Beltway 8, closed due to ice. Barricades were set up, officials said. Black ice also reported on the Sam Houston Parkway Westbound at Almeda Road.
9:00 p.m.: From Pct 5 Constable Terry Allbritton’s Office, Tonight, our concern is for ice on the roadways as the temperature drop again well below freezing. As we did last night, we are encouraging people to stay off the roadways. Our patrol units have been active answering calls and assisting citizens to get through this winter event.
Here are some stats:1 – Major Crash11 – Minor Crashes3 – Wrong Way Drivers19 – Traffic Hazards Cleared16 – Stranded Motor Vehicles Assisted
3 – Patrons rescued from frozen overpasses
8:20 p.m.: Additional roadways are being reported with having black ice. Drivers are urged to use caution and remain at home due to dangerous road conditions.
7:20 p.m.: The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is reporting black ice on the roadways. FM 1960 entrance ramp to SH 249 and FM 1960 between Cypresswood and Lee Road. Lee Road is iced over. Officials said, “It is too dangerous now and most businesses are closed. Stay safe, stay home!
6:10 p.m.: Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reported on X about an accident that ended with one man getting injured on Tuesday. According to Gonzalez, two males were pushing a stranded vehicle on the overpass of FM 1960 and Atascocita on the downside of the overpass. A vehicle approaching from behind was not able to stop on time and struck one of the men, breaking his left leg. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A second male was not injured.
6:02 p.m.: Captain James Lovett with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said ice reported at I-10 East freeway, westbound lanes and on the Beltway 8 feeder roads under I10 East. Please avoid the area. Reduce speeds if it is necessary to travel this area.
5:28 p.m.: We’ve had tons of great photos of the snow sent in to the FOX 26 newsroom. Here are just a few.
5:22 p.m.: Harris County officials say they have worked 168 crashes since 10p.m. Friday night.
5:11 p.m.: Houston Mayor John Whitmire warns that the next 24 hours could be the most dangerous of this winter storm.
4:55 p.m.: Houston Mayor John Whitmire is expected to hold an update at 5 p.m.
You will be able to watch it in the live player below.
4:35 p.m.: “We’re not done,” Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Sloan says. Freezing is expected overnight.
4:27 p.m.: First responders are expecting to see an uptick in pipes bursting overnight and fires as we enter a deep freeze.
4:12 p.m.: Harris County judge Lina Hidalgo gives an update.
4:07 p.m.: Throughout the morning we looked at your photos and videos! Look back at some of the fun from our Snow Day Showcase!
4 p.m.: William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport will be back open on Wednesday after shutting down Tuesday due to the snow and ice, sources tell FOX 26.
Related
Houston’s Hobby and Bush airports will be back open on Wednesday, sources tell FOX 26.
3 p.m.: Some stores are closing early due to the weather.
Houston area Central Market, Joe V’s Smart Shop, and Mi Tienda stores are open and will close at 8 p.m. on January 21.
All area Kroger stores will close at 8 p.m. Tuesday, and will reopen at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22. Pharmacy hours may vary by location.
1 p.m.: Galveston city officials say the CenterPoint transmission lines to the island have even repaired which has previously caused capacity concerns.
Usage at the warming center at McGuire Dent will be monitored through the day and the city will make a determination about continuing operations later this afternoon. Salvation Army and Central Methodist will remain open for the unsheltered who need warming centers through tomorrow.
12 p.m.: CenterPoint reports 99.9% customers have power as the winter storm impacts the Greater Houston area.
Since the weather impact, 18,700 customers have had their power restored. The company says 2,800 customers are currently out of power.
11:50 a.m.: A man was found dead outside of a restaurant in Harris County. The sheriff says his death was likely weather-related. Click here to read more.
11 a.m.: CenterPoint Energy notified the city of Galveston that they are having load capacity issues.
The power company is asking for all of Galveston to conserve energy to help make sure electricity is able to reach the west end.
CenterPoint says the highest concern is for areas west of 61st Street.
8:50 a.m.: Residents are taking advantage of the rare snow day and having some fun. We found a man skiing at Eleanor Tinsley Park. If you’re looking for some places to sled, check out this link.
7:23 a.m.: The Galveston County Office of Emergency Management says bridges and overpasses are iced over and crews are continuously treating them where necessary. They encourage everyone to avoid driving.
5 a.m.: ERCOT issued a Transmission Emergency in South and Southeast Texas for loss of transmission from freezing precipitation. Transmission is how power gets from generators to the grid and from the grid to homes. Loss of transmission means it can’t move because of freezing precipitation.
It’s unclear how much of a problem this will be or how long it will last, but the ERCOT dashboard currently shows supply and demand is being met. We are following developments.
4:45 a.m.: A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Jefferson and Orange counties in Texas as well as six Louisiana parishes until noon. The warning means that “frequent wind gusts to 35 mph and snow reducing visibility to ¼ mile or less is expected,” according to the NWS Lake Charles office.
4:30 a.m.: Houston Transtar is now reporting more than 50 icy road locations. Click here to see the updated list.
3 a.m.: The Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management is asking the public to avoid travel amid multiple road closures.
1 a.m.: Numerous roadways are being reported having ice or snow on the roadway. Click here for the latest list.
12:08 a.m.: We’re getting our first reports of bridges that are icing over. According to Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman, the bridge at Gosling Road at the county line has ice on the roadway and is impassable at this time.
MONDAY
10:20 p.m.: More reports of snowfall are beginning to come in across the northern parts of the Houston area.
9:08 p.m.: FOX 26 is getting reports of sleet falling in the Woodlands as well as snow changing over to all snow in Prairie View, Texas.
7:48 p.m.: FOX 26 Meteorologist John Dawson reported in his latest weather update via the FOX 26 Live Stream that he is seeing reports on social media of various types of frozen precipitation falling across the area.
We have you covered from all angles throughout this winter storm.
Here is just some information you may need as the weather rolls through:
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