TX – Arctic Cold Front to Arrive Saturday Evening, Freezing Temperatures Expected Next Week

January 17, 2025

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is monitoring an arctic cold front that is expected to arrive in the area Saturday evening. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), freezing temperatures are expected early Sunday morning and continuing for multiple days with a chance for freezing rain and snow. There is a potential for a hard freeze, temperatures below 24 degrees, Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Residents should monitor the latest forecast daily and remain weather-aware.

Protect the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes, and plants.

People:
• Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
• Add layers to help keep you warm as the temperature drops.
• Check in with elderly family and neighbors to see if they need help.

Pets:
• Bring pets inside and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
• Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes:
• Protect any exposed outdoor pipes (sprinkler systems should be shut off and properly drained)

Plants:
• Bring potted plants inside or store them in a garage near the interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
• For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering them with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.



Travel Safety:
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/.

Heater Safety:
Portable space heaters are often used to heat rooms and homes. If not used properly, they can cause fires, severe injuries, and death. If using a portable heater, remember these important safety tips:

• Keep heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including furniture, carpets, curtains, and people.
• Place heaters on solid, non-flammable surfaces.
• Never block exits with a heater and keep them out of the way of foot traffic.
• Keep children away from heaters.
• Always plug heaters directly into wall outlets – NEVER use an extension cord.
• Turn off and unplug space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.

Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.

Generator Safety:
If you use a generator, remember these important safety tips from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.
• Use portable generators outdoors at least 15-20 feet away from all doors, windows, and vent openings to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.

Follow local media for forecast updates and stay informed on how to prepare for extreme cold weather by following HCOHSEM updates at ReadyHarris.org, on social media, and by signing up for ReadyHarris Alerts or ReadyHarris Accessible Alerts.