No Weather Closures Expected In City Offices And Schools

The Houston area is readying for another blast of winter weather, with the National Weather Service in Galveston issuing a winter weather advisory beginning 2 p.m. today.

Bellaire City Manager Bernie Satterwhite said city offices and facilities will remain open, with the exception of public pools which routinely close when the temperature drops below 45 degrees. As of this morning, the Houston Independent School District did not expect closures of public schools in Bellaire, according to HISD Spokeswoman Sarah Greer Osborne. However, Greer said that any outdoor athletics events are canceled — Indoor events like basketball are still scheduled as planned.

The weather advisory includes a rain and snow mix beginning this afternoon and running through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“A vigorous upper level disturbance will approach southeast Texas on Tuesday. This system will bring a variety of winter weather to the region,” forecasters said. “Rain will develop Tuesday morning then quickly change over during the afternoon to a snow mix. This rain-snow mix will expand across the advisory area during the afternoon, with most areas in the advisory area experiencing rain and snow before 6 p.m.”

With warm ground, no significant accumulations are expected during the afternoon, but during the evening snow may begin to stick on grassy areas and car roofs. The rain and snow mix may change over to just snow after midnight.

Any accumulations during the late evening through 3 a.m. time frame should range from one-quarter to one-half inches. This should occur primarily north of IH-10.

The weather service said some elevated roadways and bridges may get icy across the northern portions of Austin, Waller, Harris and Liberty counties.

Forecasters stressed this is a developing winter weather situation and if temperatures are slightly cooler or warmer than expected, it could have “tremendous implications” on where snow falls and how much will accumulate.

Motorists should use caution on roads and be prepared for possible icy conditions and delays.