February Ends Warm and Dry

[TxMomof2]

Is there any risk of icy overpasses within the next 2-3 hours in NW Houston/Tomball? I have some places to go, but I don't want to drive if there will be ice. Thanks!

[Rich]

It sure does appear alot wetter in advance of this front. Does anyone think we will have any problems with icing this evening due to left over moisture?

[srainhoutx]

[Baseballdude2915]

All that can be done with this is to watch how the cold air filers in and how long after precip. If college station is already icing over, ill bet some parts of houston will be slick this afternoon. This could get very dangerous very fast.

It would almost be fitting for one event to bust and have everyone think the pros "cried wolf", then have a surprise event come in and shut down the city. Doubtful, but would almost make sense. LOL.

[srainhoutx]

Temp dropping here now. Down to 39.7F from 43.7F in a minute. Edit to add: Winds have picked up as well. Getting to gusts in the 20+ mph range as well.

[Paul]

I dont think there will be enough time for the bridges to ice over since we have been in the 50's for a few days....wind and evap should do the rest....JMO....

[srainhoutx]

35.4F up here and light rain.

[Paul]

http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/? ... &wmo=99999


front paseed CInco Ranch and approaching Sugarland before DT Houston....funky orientation....but whatever its going to get cold....

[vbhoutex]

I wonder why this cold blast (and it's currently in the teens in the hill country) is not being tracked with as much enthusiasm as the last front?

(I'm at 45 degrees in NW Houston near 249/Grant Rd. wind about 7 mph out of the NW)

I suspect folks are feeling a bit burned by last weeks event and frankly, folks are growing weary of the cold. But that's just my opinion. Edit to add: I just hope we don't get a big surprise as the morning wears on. Houston traffic and ice are not a good mix.

I'm burned from tracking it and being really disappointed as well, but this with this frontal passage, I'm seeing a bit colder temps behind this front. Any chance we'll see teens tonight?

I am thinking that this is coming in colder than originally thought, so it wouldn't be a surprise to me to see high teens in the N and W suburbs and possibly in as far as the Hwy 6 or maybe the Beltway. If this rain doesn't stop soon fropa could cause a very messy situation on our bridges and overpasses relatively quickly. I hope not, but radar seems to tell me otherwise. That along with reports of sleet in Bellville is my cause for concern.

[Stormrider]

Kinda wonder with the temp dropping as fast as it is will the chill outrace the moisture and ice the roads? Also will the power lines ice over? With the stiff winds predicted for the area along with possible icy lines, I'm concerned about power outages.

[Paul]

pipes wrapped- check
pets in- check
plants already dead- check

I am good to go....

[vbhoutex]

I was noticing last night and it appears to be the case today that the front is "meandering" in as it comes. That was showing up last night even in W. TX and the DFW area. Fropa is imminent here if Steve has it. Oops, calling fropa at 10:18 in Spring Branch. Temp just started dropping from 44.1f. Still some rain in my area and temp is heading down. Don't think the moisture will dry up before freezing starts. Everyone be careful out there. LOL @ Paul!!
edit to ad-temp down to 41f in 5 minutes.

[wxman57]

Kinda wonder with the temp dropping as fast as it is will the chill outrace the moisture and ice the roads? Also will the power lines ice over? With the stiff winds predicted for the area along with possible icy lines, I'm concerned about power outages.

We work with many of the utility companies. They tell us it takes a good 3/8" to 1/2" of ice coating on power lines to cause problems (broken lines). While the lines could form a thin coating of ice on them in northern parts of Houston this afternoon, that in itself won't cause any outages. A high load on the grid could cause brown-outs, though.

[srainhoutx]

Down to 33.8F up here with light precip.

[CAK]

Just got a report back from a friend on 45 north headed to Dallas. He is just south of Ennis, west of Waco on the 45. Multiple accidents, numerous cars of the side of the road in ditches, one reported fatality. Looks like a suburban that rolled several times and the driver was ejected.

The highway is completely iced over and extremely windy. So windy and slick that he was driving sideways whenever a gust would come up. He is turning around and on his way back to Houston as it would take him hours to get to Dallas driving 5 mph on ice.

Be careful out there.

[vbhoutex]

Kinda wonder with the temp dropping as fast as it is will the chill outrace the moisture and ice the roads? Also will the power lines ice over? With the stiff winds predicted for the area along with possible icy lines, I'm concerned about power outages.

We work with many of the utility companies. They tell us it takes a good 3/8" to 1/2" of ice coating on power lines to cause problems (broken lines). While the lines could form a thin coating of ice on them in northern parts of Houston this afternoon, that in itself won't cause any outages. A high load on the grid could cause brown-outs, though.

I had my share of the blackouts last time. We had 6 here at the house. Someone else, like Dallas can take them this time.

[srainhoutx]

Ed, radar can be a bit misleading. Also look at GRK.

[lyndie32]

pipes wrapped- check
pets in- check
plants already dead- check

I am good to go....

lol at plants!

[Paul]

I was noticing last night and it appears to be the case today that the front is "meandering" in as it comes. That was showing up last night even in W. TX and the DFW area. Fropa is imminent here if Steve has it. Oops, calling fropa at 10:18 in Spring Branch. Temp just started dropping from 44.1f. Still some rain in my area and temp is heading down. Don't think the moisture will dry up before freezing starts. Everyone be careful out there. LOL @ Paul!!
edit to ad-temp down to 41f in 5 minutes.

yeah easy for me to say..I worked from home today... I think it might be a close call for the bridges...dont underestimate the latent heat plus wind plus evap...

[Stormrider]

Kinda wonder with the temp dropping as fast as it is will the chill outrace the moisture and ice the roads? Also will the power lines ice over? With the stiff winds predicted for the area along with possible icy lines, I'm concerned about power outages.

We work with many of the utility companies. They tell us it takes a good 3/8" to 1/2" of ice coating on power lines to cause problems (broken lines). While the lines could form a thin coating of ice on them in northern parts of Houston this afternoon, that in itself won't cause any outages. A high load on the grid could cause brown-outs, though.

Thanks for the education wxman57.

I'd often heard that if ice forms on the lines and slap together in a high wind that there could be power outages. That was my concern since 30mph winds were forecast. Thanks again!