What a mess!!
Dangerous ice storm in progress across much of TX.
Ice Storm Warning in effect for the following counties in SE TX: Montgomery, Waller, Walker, Grimes, Trinity, Polk, San Jacinto, Washington, Brazos, Burleson, Austin, Colorado, Madison.
Winter Storm Watch issued for the following counties: Harris, Liberty, Fort Bend, Wharton including metro Houston.
Significant icing event likely across SE TX including metro Houston.
Discussion:
Icing already in progress over the N and W counties with Brenham reporting 30 with freezing rain (snow being reported is an ASOS malfunction) and Caldwell reporting 32 with freezing rain and sleet mix. Freezing line is progressing southward toward SE TX and expect all N and W counties to fall to freezing this morning with freezing rain starting in the Ice Storm Warning area. Accumulations of ice could reach 1/10 to 1/4 of an inch today which is well into the warning criteria for SE TX.
Tonight:
Next upper level impulse clearly seen on water vapor near Baja comes across tonight and Tuesday as temps. fall below freezing all the way to the coast. Expect widespread freezing rain and sleet with heavy icing. Will hit the Watch and Warning areas hard with 1/4 to 1/2 inch accumulation widespread with some locations getting up to 1.0 inch of ice.
Impacts:
Power and trees along with bridges and overpasses will be the big issues. Glazing should begin over the N and W this morning and spread SE through the day and into the night. Expect power outages to begin by Tuesday morning as ice accumulates on tree limbs and they begin to break and sag on power lines. Ice accumulation may be heavy enough to bring down power lines and large power transmission towers.
Travel:
Forget trying to drive. Once the freezing temps. onset the bridges and overpasses with begin to ice over. Expect all bridges and overpasses to be ice covered by Tuesday morning with accumulations starting on surface streets and freeway main lanes. Travel will be very difficult if not impossible Tuesday morning and only worsen as the day goes on as freezing/frozen precip. continues during the day.
Aviation:
Strict de-icing procedures will be going into effect at area terminals today. Heavy icing of aircraft controls can be expected through 2500 ft. Aircraft may be sent back to terminals multiple times to de-ice with very long delays and cancellations.
Response:
The state EOC is activated along with the TX National guard to assist in stranded motorist on ice covered roads across the state. Widespread power outages are already ongoing over N TX and NC TX where icing of .5 to 1.5 inches has occurred.
Dangerous ice storm in progress across much of TX.
Ice Storm Warning in effect for the following counties in SE TX: Montgomery, Waller, Walker, Grimes, Trinity, Polk, San Jacinto, Washington, Brazos, Burleson, Austin, Colorado, Madison.
Winter Storm Watch issued for the following counties: Harris, Liberty, Fort Bend, Wharton including metro Houston.
Significant icing event likely across SE TX including metro Houston.
Discussion:
Icing already in progress over the N and W counties with Brenham reporting 30 with freezing rain (snow being reported is an ASOS malfunction) and Caldwell reporting 32 with freezing rain and sleet mix. Freezing line is progressing southward toward SE TX and expect all N and W counties to fall to freezing this morning with freezing rain starting in the Ice Storm Warning area. Accumulations of ice could reach 1/10 to 1/4 of an inch today which is well into the warning criteria for SE TX.
Tonight:
Next upper level impulse clearly seen on water vapor near Baja comes across tonight and Tuesday as temps. fall below freezing all the way to the coast. Expect widespread freezing rain and sleet with heavy icing. Will hit the Watch and Warning areas hard with 1/4 to 1/2 inch accumulation widespread with some locations getting up to 1.0 inch of ice.
Impacts:
Power and trees along with bridges and overpasses will be the big issues. Glazing should begin over the N and W this morning and spread SE through the day and into the night. Expect power outages to begin by Tuesday morning as ice accumulates on tree limbs and they begin to break and sag on power lines. Ice accumulation may be heavy enough to bring down power lines and large power transmission towers.
Travel:
Forget trying to drive. Once the freezing temps. onset the bridges and overpasses with begin to ice over. Expect all bridges and overpasses to be ice covered by Tuesday morning with accumulations starting on surface streets and freeway main lanes. Travel will be very difficult if not impossible Tuesday morning and only worsen as the day goes on as freezing/frozen precip. continues during the day.
Aviation:
Strict de-icing procedures will be going into effect at area terminals today. Heavy icing of aircraft controls can be expected through 2500 ft. Aircraft may be sent back to terminals multiple times to de-ice with very long delays and cancellations.
Response:
The state EOC is activated along with the TX National guard to assist in stranded motorist on ice covered roads across the state. Widespread power outages are already ongoing over N TX and NC TX where icing of .5 to 1.5 inches has occurred.
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