Several inches to one half foot of snow accumulated over the coastal Southeast Texas region yesterday with as much as 10.5 in. of snow in Lafayette, LA. Much of southern Louisiana received 5-10 in. of snow. Overnight, skies are clearing, and conditions are set for record cold mornings.

This week’s bitter cold produces about 265 U.S. gas population weight heating degree days (HDD). By comparison, this week is second coldest compared to recent memorable cold weeks including Cold Weather Event “Uri” from the week of 2/13/21 (260) and 2/20/21 (271), “Elliot” 12/24/22 (254), and polar vortex events from January 2024 (249) and 2015 (258).

The morning low temperature forecast for Houston is adjusted for colder readings to 17F making the cold peak for next week’s arctic outbreak rival previous cold events Uri and Elliot from earlier this decade.

Great Lakes ice is emerging and should spread rapidly given the long duration cold pattern ahead. Open water moderates arctic air. However, once ice is sufficiently expansive the moderating effects cease.