Current Activation Level

January 22, 2026 (Houston). The TGCRVOAD is setting ALERT LEVEL 2 – STAND BY in all counties in anticipation of an Arctic Front, Winter Storm and Extreme Cold this weekend and early next week. The TGCRVOAD will conduct a Collaboration Call from 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM on Friday, January 23rd, through Monday, January 26th.  The timing of the call on Sunday is subject to change. Please join us for a discussion of the situation, requests for assistance, and opportunities to collaborate to help Texans in need.

Situation Brief

A strong Arctic front is increasingly likely to push into Texas late Friday into early Saturday (potentially earlier than some guidance), bringing a rapid temperature crash from Friday warmth into freezing or below by Saturday morning. Warm air overrunning a shallow surface cold dome favors freezing rain when surface temperatures are ≤32°F (33°F+ is rain), with sleet possibly mixing in later as the cold deepens. For Southeast Texas, the current favored setup keeps the most significant icing north of Houston—roughly north of a Columbus–Hempstead–Livingston line—with the Houston metro mainly cold rain, though a slightly stronger/colder push could bring freezing precipitation into the north and west metro; hazardous travel could begin late Friday evening, and persistent freezing rain north of Houston could produce tree damage and power disruptions. Recommended posture: complete winterization of critical infrastructure by Friday and monitor updates as higher-resolution guidance comes into range; separately, expect a mid-week rain uptick near the coast (highest Wednesday) ahead of the surge.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon for much of Southeast Texas, with freezing rain the primary threat and 0.10”–0.30” ice possible (highest in the Piney Woods and Brazos Valley); a small sleet component is possible north, with changeover timing ranging from midday Saturday in the far north to Saturday afternoon/night farther south, supporting hazardous travel and potential outages/tree damage.

An Extreme Cold Watch is in effect Saturday evening through Monday morning, with 0–15°F wind chills (coldest north), a hard freeze likely Saturday and Sunday nights (teens to lower 20s), and areas north of I-10 possibly remaining below freezing all day Sunday, elevating frostbite/hypothermia and frozen/ruptured pipe risk.

ACTIONS

TGCR VOAD will …

• Move to Alert Level 2 – Standby.
• Monitor the weather forecast daily esp. toward the end of the week as models pick up resolution.

• Stay in close communication with the OEMs.
• The TGCRVOAD will conduct a Collaboration Call from 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM on Friday, January 23rd, through Monday, January 26th.  The timing of the call on Sunday is subject to change.

Recommendations to Members

• Monitor the weather forecast daily esp. toward the end of the week as models pick up resolution.
• Stay in close communication with the TGCRVOAD.

Prepare for a Winter Freeze. 

The “4 Ps” for cold-weather readiness are People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants—a simple checklist to reduce injuries, protect animals, and prevent costly freeze damage when temperatures drop to freezing.

Plants: Cover sensitive plants before sunset; bring potted plants inside; mulch around roots; uncover plants once temperatures rise to prevent overheating.

People: Check on older adults, infants, and anyone with medical needs; limit time outdoors; dress in layers (including hat and gloves); use space heaters safely and never run generators or grills indoors.

• Pets: Bring pets indoors when possible; if outside, ensure a dry, insulated shelter and unfrozen water; shorten outdoor exposure.

• Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes; protect outdoor spigots; open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls; let faucets drip during hard freezes; know how to shut off water at the main.