Houston weather: Winter Storm Warning, timeline, when will it start snowing

The Brief

A winter storm warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Light cold drizzle, light sleet or freezing rain could start as early as 10 p.m. Monday.
Snow is expected area-wide between midnight and about 9 a.m. Tuesday.

HOUSTON – A winter storm will bring snow to Houston, along with a threat for ice and slippery roads Tuesday and early Wednesday.

A winter storm warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday.

When will it start snowing in Houston?

Timeline

Light cold drizzle, light sleet or freezing rain could start as early as 10 p.m. Monday.

Snow is expected area-wide between midnight and about 9 a.m. Tuesday.

If we can keep as many people as possible off the roads on Tuesday and Wednesday, the snow will be a lot of fun, especially since some areas could see 4″ or more.

Unfortunately, the snow comes along with very cold air. The highs today will only top out near 40 with lows Tuesday in the upper 20s.

Hard freeze Tuesday night

After an amazing snowy Tuesday morning, attention will turn to the hard freeze Tuesday night as lows fall to the low 20s and even some upper teens.

Big picture view

That means any moisture on roadways will freeze, so travel will be treacherous the first half of Wednesday.

When will Houston warm back up?

What’s next

Sunshine should help warm our afternoons each day from Thursday through the weekend.

Icy road conditions in Houston

While roads are being pre-treated, officials warn that travel should still be avoided and roads should not be considered safe.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire is asking people to get food supplies and water by Monday evening and asking employers to let non-essential employees stay home.

What they’re saying

“We’re doing everything we can as a city to prepare for this winter storm. We will be here to keep you safe and respond to emergencies, but we need your help,” Mayor Whitmire said. “Please limit your activities and stay home if you can. We don’t want you to risk your life or jeopardize the safety of our police officers and firefighters if they have to rescue you when you could have stayed home. Our first responders must remain focused on critical incidents as conditions worsen.”

Houston airports shut down Tuesday

What we know

Both airports made the announcement that they will be “temporarily suspending operations” on Tuesday, due to the weather.

The suspension is scheduled to begin at midnight on Tuesday.

What we don’t know

At this point, we do not know when operations will be able to resume at the airports. Airport officials say they will monitor conditions on Tuesday to see if they will reopen on Wednesday.