Arctic Air Brings Freezing Temperatures to Houston This Weekend

Frigid wind chills and potential hard freezes expected across Southeast Texas

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:47pm

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A blast of arctic air is moving into Southeast Texas, bringing freezing temperatures, blustery winds, and the potential for hard freezes over the weekend. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect until Saturday morning, with wind chills dropping into the 15-25 range near sunrise. A Freeze Watch is also in place from Saturday evening through Sunday morning, as some areas north of Houston could see hard freeze conditions.

Why it matters

The freezing temperatures and wind chills pose risks to people, pets, and livestock, requiring them to seek warm shelter. The cold weather could also impact infrastructure, agriculture, and other outdoor activities in the region.

The details

The arctic air will move in overnight, leading to a cold and blustery Saturday despite sunny skies. Temperatures will struggle to reach the mid-40s, and the freeze line will reach the I-10 corridor by sunrise. Some areas north of Houston could see hard freezes, with temperatures potentially dropping into the 20s on Sunday morning. However, the sunshine on Sunday should help warm things up into the 50s during the afternoon.

  • The Cold Weather Advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • The Freeze Watch is in effect from 9 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, to 9 a.m. on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The players

Southeast Texas

The region of Texas that includes Houston and the surrounding areas that will be impacted by the freezing temperatures and wind chills.

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What’s next

After this weekend's cold snap, temperatures are expected to return to more seasonal levels, with lows in the 40s and highs in the 60s. Another cold front is expected to arrive late Tuesday, but it is not expected to bring any additional arctic air, keeping temperatures in a more 'seasonal' range.

The takeaway

This weekend's arctic blast serves as a reminder of the importance of preparing for extreme weather conditions, especially when it comes to protecting people, pets, and livestock from the dangers of freezing temperatures. The gradual warm-up in the days ahead should provide some relief, but the potential for another cold snap in mid-February bears watching.