Severe winter weather alert in Houston and Southeast Texas—are you prepared for the icy chaos ahead? As an arctic front pushes into the region, much of Southeast Texas finds itself under urgent winter storm warnings. These alerts, active from early Saturday morning through Sunday evening, signal the risk of widespread freezing rain reaching all the way to the Gulf Coast, creating treacherous conditions for residents and travelers alike. Additionally, an Extreme Cold Warning is in effect from Saturday through Monday, warning of a brutal cold snap that could lead to dangerously low wind chills—possibly below zero—especially during early Monday morning. Our comprehensive ABC13 Weather Alert will keep an eye on the situation from Saturday morning until early Monday, so stay tuned for critical updates on ice accumulation and the biting cold that could catch even the most prepared off guard.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Local authorities and businesses are taking sweeping measures, with many closing their doors or suspending services to protect the community. From trash collection to healthcare facilities and transit routes, the region is bracing for significant disruptions. Click here to see the full list of closures and cancellations affecting Houston residents.
And this is the part most people miss… Power companies like CenterPoint Energy have mobilized large teams—up to 3,300 workers across 13 operational centers and staging sites—to respond swiftly to outages and emergencies. With crews arriving from nine states and 1,500 trucks on standby, they are prepared for what could be between 100,000 and 200,000 power disruptions over the next few days. The goal is clear: restore power quickly and keep safety a top priority. For further details on how they’re preparing and the conditions at local shelters, visit here.
Meanwhile, the airports are feeling the impact too—over 200 flights have already been canceled in Houston. Officials report that as of Saturday evening, 185 flights out of George Bush Intercontinental and 52 from William P. Hobby have been called off. Fortunately, both airports remain operational despite the cancellations. Emergency response teams from TSA, police, fire departments, and airline support are all actively managing the situation, and the USO at IAH continues to serve military personnel overnight. Travelers are advised to stay updated, contact their airlines directly, and prepare for potential delays. Flight status and updates are available at Fly2Houston.
And the icing on the cake—literally— freezing rain is expected to fall overnight, creating dangerous ice on trees, roads, and overpasses that could cause widespread travel disruptions and power outages across Southeast Texas. Official warnings about ice storms and winter weather go into effect Saturday evening, forecasted to bring dangerous accumulations of ice. For the latest detailed weather updates, check ABC13's meteorologist Elyse Smith’s forecasts, ensuring you’re informed and ready to stay safe during this cold and icy weekend.
