Forecasts show that an arctic front could bring freezing rain, sleet, and a hard freeze to parts of the greater Houston area this weekend (January 24–25, 2026). According to the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office, cold air arriving behind Friday’s front could overlap with lingering moisture, raising the risk of slick bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads.
A recent timeline from the Houston Chronicle explains that while heavy snow is unlikely, freezing rain and sleet are the main threats for Southeast Texas. Another Chronicle piece on the statewide picture notes that the storm should be shorter and less severe than the 2021 freeze, but still serious enough to cause icy roads and scattered power problems.
What the Weekend Forecast Means for Houston Drivers
Based on current guidance from the National Weather Service and local media:
- Friday: A strong front pushes into Southeast Texas with widespread rain. Temperatures start falling late in the day.
- Saturday: Much colder air settles in. Areas north and west of town face the highest chance of freezing rain or sleet, but elevated roads in and around Houston could also ice up.
- Sunday morning: Below-freezing temperatures may linger long enough for leftover moisture to refreeze, especially on bridges and shaded spots.
Space City and local TV meteorologists echo this message: cold rain can flip to freezing rain or sleet quickly, especially after dark. That’s when you see “black ice” forming on the roads with little warning.
Bottom line: If forecasts hold, late Saturday into early Sunday looks like the most dangerous window for travel in the Houston area.
Trusted Sources You Should Check Before You Go Anywhere
When conditions change hour by hour, you need information from official, real-time sources, not just social media screenshots. Reliable options include:
- National Weather Service – Houston/Galveston
Live forecasts, watches, warnings, and detailed discussions about how cold air and moisture will overlap. - Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) snow and ice page
Tips for winter driving and links to the DriveTexas road-conditions map. - Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) winter weather reminders
Statewide safety tips on when to avoid travel and how to prepare. - Texas Department of Insurance winter driving safety tips
Practical guidance on winterizing your vehicle and planning your route. - Local outlets like ABC13’s weather page, which give Houston-specific timing and neighborhood-level impacts.
Before you step outside or start your car, check at least one of these sources so you know exactly what you’re driving into.
Staying Safe at Home: Simple Steps That Prevent Emergencies
The safest way to avoid an icy-road crash is not to drive in the worst of the storm. TxDOT and DPS both urge Texans to stay off the roads when freezing rain or sleet is in the forecast.
Use the lead-up to the front to:
- Protect your home
- Wrap outside pipes and hose bibs.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air reach pipes.
- Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
- Prepare for power issues
- Charge phones, battery packs, and medical devices.
- Keep flashlights (not candles) and extra batteries handy.
- Never run generators or grills inside the house or garage because of carbon monoxide risks, as DPS warns in its winter weather safety tips.
- Make a basic emergency kit
- Bottled water and simple, no-cook food
- Warm blankets and extra clothing
- Any daily medications you need
If you can keep your family safe and comfortable at home, you avoid the biggest source of winter injuries in Houston: traffic crashes on unexpected ice.
If You Must Drive: Evidence-Based Winter Driving Tips
Sometimes you have no choice but to get on the road. In that case, take your cues from winter safety experts like TxDOT, DPS, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Before you leave
- Check both weather and roads. Look at the NWS site and TxDOT’s DriveTexas map for real-time conditions.
- Winter-check your vehicle. The NHTSA winter driving guide stresses good tire tread, working wipers, a strong battery, and a full tank.
- Pack an emergency kit. DPS recommends blankets, water, high-calorie snacks, a flashlight, jumper cables, a scraper, and sand or cat litter for traction.
On the road
According to TxDOT’s snow and ice safety page and DPS winter reminders:
- Slow down well below the posted speed. Speed limits assume dry roads, not ice.
- Increase your following distance at least three times normal on wet, icy, or slushy roads.
- Never use cruise control in slick conditions.
- Treat all bridges, ramps, and overpasses as icy, even if they only look wet.
- If your vehicle starts to skid, ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want to go until you regain traction.
The Texas Department of Insurance’s article on five winter driving safety tips repeats the same theme: drive slowly, avoid tailgating, and skip unnecessary trips altogether.
How Icy Roads Connect to Personal Injury Law in Texas
From a legal standpoint, bad weather does not erase a driver’s responsibility to act safely. Texas law still expects every driver to use reasonable care.
When someone speeds on ice, follows too closely, or ignores closures and then causes a crash, that behavior can still qualify as negligence. In a personal injury case, we look at:
- Whether the driver adjusted their speed for conditions
- Whether they left enough space to stop on slick pavement
- Whether they paid attention to public warnings about ice and closures
If they did not, the injured person may have a strong claim for damages such as:
- Medical bills (ER visits, imaging, follow-ups, therapy)
- Lost wages and reduced ability to work
- Vehicle repair or total-loss value
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life
What to Do if You’re Hurt in an Icy-Road Crash This Weekend
If another driver hits you on an icy Houston road:
- Call 911 and ask for police and EMS if anyone is injured.
- Get medical care immediately. Even “mild” soreness can hide a serious back, neck, or head injury.
- Take photos and video of:
- The roadway and any visible ice
- Vehicle positions and damage
- Skid marks, guardrail damage, and road signs
- Exchange information and get witnesses’ contact details.
- Notify your own insurer, but avoid guessing about fault or saying you’re “fine.”
- Talk with a personal injury attorney before giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
Evidence fades fast in winter crashes—ice melts, vehicles get towed, and memories blur. Quick action gives your lawyer more tools to prove what really happened.
How Joe I. Zaid & Associates Can Help
If you suffer injuries in an icy-weather crash in the Houston area, Joe I. Zaid & Associates can step in and protect your rights.
Joe Zaid, the firm’s founder, is a seasoned personal injury attorney who has represented thousands of injured clients since 2013 and recovered millions of dollars in settlements, including several seven-figure results for single clients. He focuses on personal injury cases ranging from “minor” collisions to wrecks that cause life-changing injuries. Joe has been named one of Houston’s Top Lawyers by H-Texas Magazine and recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyer, and he remains active in both the Houston Trial Lawyers Association and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
When you call us after an icy-road crash, we can:
- Investigate the scene, obtain police and weather records, and analyze road conditions
- Work with experts to reconstruct the crash if needed
- Handle all communication with insurance companies
- Build a claim aimed at full and fair compensation for your losses
You only pay attorney’s fees if we recover money for you.
If you or a loved one gets hurt in an icy-road crash this weekend, contact:
Joe I. Zaid & Associates
Office: (346) 756-9243
4710 Vista Rd. Suite E, Pasadena, TX 77505
https://joezaid.com
