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An Arctic blast is unleashing a Houston winter storm that has already coated roads in ice, snapped power lines and pushed wind-chill readings below zero across Southeast Texas. Meteorologists warn that temperatures will plunge into the low 20s again tonight, with “feels-like” values as low as -5 °F, setting up another round of treacherous black ice on bridges and overpasses. Emergency declarations and school closures • At least 14 governors—including those in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma—have activated emergency plans as the multi-state system, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, marches eastward. • Houston ISD, Katy ISD, Cy-Fair ISD and dozens of surrounding districts will stay closed Monday; Sam Houston State University and multiple county offices have also shut their doors. • Mayor John Whitmire urged residents to “stay off the roads and protect the four P’s—people, pets, plants and pipes”—noting that any stranded vehicles could hamper emergency response. Travel and power impacts • TxDOT has suspended tolls on select segments of SH-99 and I-10 while crews spread brine and sand; icy ramps on Grand Parkway and US-290 have already triggered jack-knifed 18-wheelers. • George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports report scattered delays as de-icing operations slow the outbound queue. • CenterPoint says 2,000 customers were without power Sunday evening, but 3,300 field workers are staged for rapid restoration if ice accretion snaps additional lines. ERCOT maintains that statewide generation remains “ample” yet advises consumers to conserve during peak morning demand. Why this storm is different Unlike the February 2021 grid failure, this event features two converging moisture streams—Pacific and Gulf—colliding with near-record high pressure pouring Arctic air southward. That recipe is producing “catastrophic” ice totals up to one inch along the storm’s southern edge, forecasters say. Even a glaze of 0.10″ can down tree limbs and cut electricity for days. What to expect next • Timing: The National Weather Service expects sub-freezing temperatures through at least Tuesday midday; any thaw Tuesday afternoon will be brief before another reinforcing front arrives mid-week. • Snow potential: Light flurries are possible north of Conroe, but the primary hazard south of I-10 remains freezing rain and sleet. • Wind chills: Gusts to 25 mph will keep apparent temps in the single digits overnight. Safety checklist for Houston residents 1. Drip indoor faucets farthest from the street to spare exposed pipes. 2. Bring pets and potted plants indoors; cover tender landscaping with frost cloth. 3. Stock up on rock salt, flashlights and extra phone-battery packs. 4. If you must drive, keep an emergency kit with blankets, water and a phone charger; notify someone of your route. 5. Monitor official alerts via ReadyHarris and Houston TranStar before heading out. SEO keywords to watch: Houston winter storm 2026, Arctic blast Houston, Houston ice storm, Houston school closures, CenterPoint outages, ERCOT winter weather, Houston road conditions, protect pipes in freeze, Houston weather forecast.