A major storm known as Winter Storm Elliott by The Weather Channel could potentially reach a bomb cyclone this week, bearing frigid temperatures down the midwest to Texas.
Beginning this Thursday, December 22, temperatures in Houston are expected to make a precipitous drop from mostly sunny near 60-degree temperatures to a blustery low down to 17 degrees according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures are expected to maintain over the course of the weekend reaching its coldest on Friday with temperatures reaching below 25 degrees.
That said, a wind chill warning is also in effect, making the air outside feel closer to 13 degrees on Thursday, dipping as far as 2 degrees overnight according to the Chronicle
On Christmas Day temperatures are expected to fall down to a low of 29, and top out at a sunny 46 degrees. If that be the case, it would be the fifth coldest Christmas in Houston history. Snow, nor any form of precipitation is expect on the big day.
“The forecast models were in better agreement today on the timing and how cold it’s going to be,” said meteorologist Cameron Batiste. “We’re fairly certain there’s going to be a cold front on Thursday night and it will get fairly cold.”
Thursday and Friday have been declared as Weather Alert Days.
A strong Arctic front is expected to move in during the afternoon Thursday bringing a sudden and dramatic temperature drop. By Friday morning, most of SE Texas will be in a hard freeze. pic.twitter.com/PS368pXX20
— Rachel Briers ABC13 (@rachelabc13) December 19, 2022
According to the Houston Chronicle, ERCOT has stated that it is comfortable meeting the demands for the weekend, with extra generators on hand if need be.
In anticipation of the cold snap, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that the city will open warming centers ahead of the drop. The mayor encouraged citizens to stay tuned for additional details.
Historically, 61.5 degrees is the average high in Houston on December 25, with the average low at 43.7 degrees. The coldest Christmas on record in Houston occurred in 1983 with a temperature of 11 degrees.