Freezing in Houston This Weekend: Cold Weather Advisory, Freeze Watch, Hours with Sub-Freezing Temperatures, and Home and Pet Precautions.
The cold returns to the Houston area this weekend. An Arctic front moved through the southeast of Texas overnight, and another round of subfreezing temperatures is expected, primarily between the predawn hours of Saturday and the morning of Sunday. Although this episode may not be as severe as the one last weekend, there remains a call to take basic precautions at home: protecting pipes, plants, and pets before temperatures return closer to normal values next week.
Below is a timeline with the hours when the coldest air is expected, in addition to what meteorological authorities recommend to reduce risks.
Freezing in Houston: When the Worst Is Expected to Arrive
The most important point of the forecast is that the freezing in Houston will not be limited to a single early morning. Two windows of subfreezing temperatures are anticipated: the first, from predawn to mid-morning Saturday; the second, from Saturday night to Sunday morning.
In both windows, north winds could intensify the wind chill. It is expected that with temperatures in the low to mid 30s and wind gusts up to 20 mph, the wind chill could drop to values in the teens and the low 20s, especially during Saturday predawn. For those planning to be outdoors for extended periods, the recommendation is to cover exposed skin to reduce the risk of frostbite.
Saturday Predawn: Cold Weather Advisory (3 a.m. to 10 a.m.)
According to the forecast, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Saturday temperatures would begin to fall below freezing from north to south in Southeast Texas. The freezing conditions could persist until around 10 a.m.
For that period, a Cold Weather Advisory was issued (3 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday). The central message is clear: the cold air and wind can make the cold feel far more intense than the measured temperature, so it is wise to plan ahead if you venture out early, especially with prolonged exposure outdoors.
In this phase, the freezing in Houston may surprise those who rely on “the sun will come out and fix things.” During the predawn and early morning hours, the risk lies in the period of greatest cooling.
Saturday Afternoon: Temporary Relief with Highs in the Mid 40s
The forecast also marks a brief respite. By Saturday afternoon, high temperatures could rebound into the mid-40s, offering a pause between the first and second drop.
That recovery, however, does not mean the episode is over. Rather, it serves as a useful window to check protections at home, adjust coverings for plants, or confirm that pets have a proper space before the second overnight drop. In other words: the freezing in Houston gives a break, but it does not go away.
Saturday Night into Sunday Morning: Return to Subfreezing and Frost Watch
The second cold stretch would begin around 9 p.m. Saturday, when temperatures are expected to fall below freezing again. For that night and Sunday morning, the forecast mentions that Houston could record lows as low as 26 degrees.
With the expectation of more widespread freezing temperatures, the National Weather Service issued a Freeze Watch from Saturday afternoon/evening through Sunday morning.
The forecast indicates that temperatures could rise slightly above freezing around 10 a.m. Sunday, marking the end of the weekend’s most critical window. Still, that margin can vary by area and wind exposure, so it is prudent to maintain precautions during the night and the early hours of Sunday.
What to Do at Home: Pipes, Plants, and Pets
The most repeated recommendations for this type of event focus on simple, preventive measures. The forecast notes that the best times to let a drip of water run and to protect pipes and plants are:
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From Friday night to Saturday morning
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From Saturday night to Sunday morning
For pets, the guidance is to ensure they have proper shelter against the cold. If the animal sleeps outside or spends several hours outdoors, it is especially important to ensure the space is truly windproof.
Taken together, these actions help Houston weather the freezing with fewer disruptions and reduce the risk of common damage during episodes of subfreezing temperatures.
Closing: The cold air will gradually retreat to the east on Monday, allowing temperatures to return to values closer to seasonal averages. Once the freezing conditions end, protections for pipes and plants can be removed. In the meantime, the weekend requires attention to the key hours: Saturday predawn and Saturday night through Sunday morning.
