Houston’s roads dodged the worst of the ice, but the danger is not over. A hard freeze is locking in across Southeast Texas tonight. Any wet pavement is turning slick again. Bridges and overpasses are the first to go. The cold is the real threat now, and travel risk will peak overnight and early Monday.
What’s happening on the roads right now
I am tracking patchy icing across the metro, with the most trouble on elevated ramps and flyovers. Crews treated many spots earlier today. Sunshine helped melt thin glaze on surface streets. That relief fades after sunset. Temperatures are plunging, and refreeze is under way.
Expect scattered closures and rolling barricades where ice returns. Conditions can change block to block. A street that felt safe at 4 p.m. can be glassy by 9 p.m. Black ice looks like wet asphalt. It gives no warning until the tires lose grip.
Black ice forms first on bridges, overpasses, and shaded lanes. Slow down, leave space, and avoid sudden moves.
Why this freeze is so dangerous
This cold surge is dense Arctic air riding south behind a strong front. The air is dry and heavy. Winds are light tonight. Heat escapes from road surfaces fast, and moisture from today’s thaw refreezes into a thin, hard sheet. That is the slickest kind of ice.
We often think Houston means heat and humidity. Winter snaps still happen here. A warming climate can shift where and how the jet stream dips. That can set the stage for sharp swings, warmer averages, but also sudden cold outbreaks. When they arrive, our roads and pipes are not built for long freezes. That mismatch raises risk.
The science is simple tonight. Ground temps drop below 32. Any leftover water freezes. Elevated structures cool even faster. The colder the night, the longer the ice lasts after sunrise. Expect the worst driving just before dawn, especially north and west of downtown.
Safety first, Houston
If you can delay travel, do it. If you must drive, think slow and smooth. Assume every bridge is icy, even if it looks clear.
- Reduce speed well before bridges and ramps
- Leave extra space, five to six seconds, to stop
- No cruise control, and no hard braking
- Aim for the clearest lane, avoid sudden steering
Check live closure maps before you go. Use the TxDOT Houston map, Harris County updates, and city alerts for real time changes.
If you skid, steer where you want to go and ease off the gas. If you see a barricade, do not go around it. Crews place them for a reason. Keep an emergency kit in the car. Include warm layers, water, a phone charger, and a small shovel or kitty litter for traction.
Where to get updates, fast
I am monitoring official feeds and road sensors through the night. Houston drivers should keep an eye on:
- TxDOT Houston for treatment zones and major closures
- Harris County and City of Houston Public Works for local trouble spots
- METRO for bus and rail changes as streets refreeze
Most closures will be posted as conditions change. Expect more updates between midnight and sunrise, when temperatures bottom out. Morning commuters, plan extra time. Some ramps may reopen late due to re-icing.
Pipes and people are also at risk. Protect outdoor faucets, bring pets indoors, and check on neighbors who might need help.
The bigger picture, and what comes next
Tonight is a stress test for a warm weather city. Brine and sand help, but supply is not endless. Salt can harm trees and storm drains, so crews place it with care. The long term fix is smarter design. That means better bridge sensors, faster deicing response, and materials that grip better in brief cold snaps. It also means streets that drain faster after winter rain, so less water is left to freeze.
Climate change shapes risk in layers here. Houston will still battle heat, floods, and hurricanes. Yet we also face rare, sharp freezes that hit systems built for summer. The answer is resilience, not panic. Invest in adaptive roads, stronger grids, and water systems that hold up when the mercury plunges.
Bottom line
Ice was lighter than feared today, but the freeze is fierce tonight. If you can, stay off the roads from late evening through early morning. If you must go, go slow, and treat every bridge like a hazard. I will keep watching the roads and the sky. The safest drive is the one you delay until the sun and salt win the fight. Stay warm, Houston ❄️
