Forecasters are now predicting from 3 to 5+ inches of snowfall in Houston areas as well as 1/10-inch ice accumulation. In addition to Houston School Districts closing early this week, METRO Houston suspending services (beginning 9 pm Monday), the Houston Airport System has announced that it will suspend flights starting this Tuesday, January 21.
Starting midnight Tuesday, the Houston Airport System will suspend all flights from Houston-area airports, including William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), and Ellington Airport (EID). Airport officials also advise against driving to the airport during the Winter Storm Watch. Officials encourage with those existing travel plans to contact their airlines for rebooking options.
The Houston Airport System will monitor the winter storm weather to determine when it will resume Houston flights.
The Winter Storm Warning goes into effect 6 pm Monday, January 20, remaining until 6 pm Tuesday. Forecasters are now predicting sub freezing temperatures with wind chills as low as 14 degrees. Experts also expect snowfall amounting to 3 to 5+ inches of snow in Metro Houston and central areas is also predicted. According to the National Weather Service, “heavier bands of snow could result in localized accumulations greater than 5 inches”. NWS expects for the snow in Houston to begin falling overnight Monday into Tuesday.
In the wake of the winter storm, road conditions will be hazardous impacting commutes as far as Wednesday morning.
The coming Houston snowfall could be the highest in recent history. The largest snowfall in Houston, according to Fox 26, occurred on Valentine’s Day in 1895, totaling up to 20 inches. Since then, however, the largest snowfall that the city has seen was 4.4 inches on February 12, 1960, with 4.4. inches of snow.
While experts are still trying determine how long the winter storm will last in Houston, present models suggest that temperatures will start to climb on Thursday, with weekend temperatures reaching near 70s and lows averaging in the mid 40s.
See also: Houston School Districts closing amid Winter Storm