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‘Be prepared’: Here’s what to know about next week’s polar plunge

This is not the February 2021 freeze

KILLEEN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 18: Icicles hang off the State Highway 195 sign on February 18, 2021 in Killeen, Texas. Winter storm Uri has brought historic cold weather and power outages to Texas as storms have swept across 26 states with a mix of freezing temperatures and precipitation. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle, 2021 Getty Images)

HOUSTON – Do not panic Houston. Our upcoming freeze will NOT be like 2021. It will still be bitterly cold and you WILL need to prepare the 4 Ps, but it will not be devastating. Let’s get into it.

This freeze will not be as cold, or last as long as the freeze we saw in 2021. There will also not be widespread ice. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Temp Difference From Feb. 2021:

Although we will be freezing and we will see wind chills in the single digits, actual air temperatures will not be near as cold. In 2021, lows dropped to the single digits and teens.

In 2021 we dropped to the teens and single digits. (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

This year, we’re forecasting our coldest temperatures between the upper-teens and the lower-20s for Tuesday morning. The maximum time in hard freeze conditions will likely be less than 24 hours and most importantly, we’ll be dry versus in Feb. 2021 when the cold air was already in place and we saw a storm bring snow and ice, crippling the entire state.

Tuesday morning temps (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

It will not last as long:

We are currently forecasting two nights below freezing, Monday and Tuesday night. In 2021, we had seven nights in a row with lows below freezing.

Temperatures dropped below freezing for a week. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

We will not have widespread accumulating wintery precipitation:

As the cold front passes through early Monday morning (~2 AM) there could be a light wintry mix. At this time the ground will still be warm to where accumulations are going to be very minimal, if any.

Model comparison for early Monday morning (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

On Valentine’s Day 2021, all of Texas was under a winter storm warning because ice, sleet, and snow was likely through the state. This was especially dangerous because temperatures stayed cold for so long. The ice accumulated on trees which took out the power.

All of Texas was in a winter storm warning. (Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

Still, make sure to prepare for intense cold:

Although we will not be as cold you should still prepare! Tuesday will be the biggest impact day, so make sure pets have a shelter that is protected from the wind and cold and cover the plants and outdoor pipes, especially those sprinkler and pool pipes!

Prep your pipes! (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

About the Authors
Caroline Brown headshot

Meteorologist, 6th generation Texan, country music lover, patio seeker

Justin Stapleton headshot

Meteorologist, craft beer guru, dad to Maya and Ella and a sock and cheese addict.

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