SE Texas Prepares For Snow, Ice

[Family Ties Forever!]

We rarely see snow here.

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SE Texas Prepares For Snow, Ice
Snow Could Fall On Friday

Posted: Thursday, December 3, 2009
Updated: 6:27 pm CST December 3, 2009

Houston -- Snow and ice could blanket southeast Texas on Friday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

A winter storm watch is in effect from 6 a.m. Friday until midnight, and a freeze warning has been issued from noon Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday. A winter storm watch means there is a potential of 2 or more inches of snow to accumulate.

"It's going to get cold around here and it could get very snowy. We're at a 70 percent chance of some significant snow if it all comes together. That's the big question," KPRC Local 2 chief meteorologist Frank Billingsley said. "We have to have cold air and then we have to have the moisture. It it all comes together, the 59 corridor could see some significant snowfall -- 3 to 5 inches. In these parts, 1 to 2 inches is pretty significant."

Billingsley said there's also a possibility of snow in Galveston. He said the temperature will start at 39 degrees at 6 a.m. Friday, then fall throughout the day with 33 degrees at 9 p.m.

"We see this mix of rain and snow changing to snow around the noon hour and continuing through 3 and 6 o'clock," Billingsley said. He said the wind chill could make temperatures feel like 25 degrees on Friday. "A big freeze is possible overnight Friday," Billingsley said.

Since 1895, it has snowed 33 times in Houston: eight times in December, 12 times in January and February and once in March. It has never snowed two years in a row, but that record may fall as the last snowfall was on Dec. 10, 2008.

Roads Prepared For Ice, Snow
Ice and snow are not common on southeast Texas roadways, so drivers were urged to be extremely cautious. The Texas Department of Transportation and the city of Houston's Public Works Department prepared bridges and overpasses to prevent ice from forming.

TxDOT trucks filled with a total of about 6,000 gallons of magnesium chloride covered spots where water could accumulate and freeze in Montgomery and Waller counties and central, west and north areas of Harris County.

"It's great weather to do this because it will stick to the ground and it will last three days," TxDOT spokeswoman Karen Othon said. "What the chat rock will do, it will help traction for the vehicles on the roadway, as well as to reduce the chance of roadways actually icing up," said Alvin Wright with the city of Houston.

Air Travel May Be Affected
Air travel may also be tricky in wintry conditions. Continental Airlines said Thursday that passengers on flights to, from or through affected airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport, on Friday through Sunday may make a one-time time or date change to their itinerary without penalty as long as the rescheduled travel takes place by Dec. 20.

Friday will be frigid, starting out at about 43 degrees and falling throughout the day to 32 degrees. Residents were reminded to take care of their pipes, plants and pets. Several people were stocking up on supplies at home improvement stores Thursday morning

"When we had the really cold blast (in 2008), we had some buildings up in the northeast side of Houston, and we got a lot of damage there," Franklin Giraldo said. "We weren't prepared for it. Now, every time we get these cold fronts coming, we get ready."

The snow will be gone by Saturday, but it will still be cold with a low of 27 degrees and a high of 46 degrees. Sunday warms up a bit with a high of 56 degrees and highs in the 60s return on Monday.

Copyright 2009 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved.

[Janice]

Getting ready for the big storm, Jenny? lol. It's something that it has snowed 33 times in Houston since 1895. That's the average season around here, lol. I hope you enjoy the snow. Snow is pretty.

[gidgetgrape]

I'm in SE Texas too. I can't believe we're getting snow two years in a row.

[70s show watcher]

when i lived in conroe in 1979 it got a trace of snow but not much everyboddy in texas stay warm

[Family Ties Forever!]

Originally Posted by Janice

Getting ready for the big storm, Jenny? lol. It's something that it has snowed 33 times in Houston since 1895. That's the average season around here, lol. I hope you enjoy the snow. Snow is pretty.

Yeah, 33 times in 114 years isn't much.

[Schmoopie]

We used to get snow quite a bit when I lived in Texas for 28 years. It definitely wasn't uncommon!

[Family Ties Forever!]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

We used to get snow quite a bit when I lived in Texas for 28 years. It definitely wasn't uncommon!

It all depends on what part of Texas you lived in. The northern parts obviously would see more snow than the southern parts.

33 times of snow in Houston, Texas in 114 years is not common, imo. That averages out to approx. every 3 & 1/2 years.

[Marvo301]

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas Jenny? Wouldn't that be something. I bet that's very rare in your part of the world!

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas Jenny? Wouldn't that be something. I bet that's very rare in your part of the world!

That's true. I lived in a Dallas suburb and then in Dallas itself and the closest we ever got to a white Christmas was a little snow a couple of days before. Last year I missed what would have been my first white Christmas ever because I was in San Diego! But then again, it was 60+ degrees there, so I shouldn't complain, should I? No, really we had an awesome time, so it was worth it, but hopefully some day I'll see a white Christmas!