City and county officials in Houston and surrounding areas, along with nonprofit organizations, are opening shelters and warming centers to provide residents a respite from the cold.

Harris County is preparing for an impending Arctic front, with Judge Lina Hidalgo announcing a readiness plan to keep residents safe and warm.

A winter storm is set to bring snow, sleet and potential ice accumulation to the Greater Houston area Jan. 21.

Southeast Texas' outlook for next week's winter storm continues to worsen, with a growing likelihood of a deep freeze and substantial wintry precipitation, snow and sleet in the Houston area. Space City Weather's Eric Berger published an atypical afternoon report on Friday warning of an "increasingly likely" and drastic mix of hard freeze and snowy conditions expected in Southeast Texas early next week.

Houston officials are preparing for severe cold weather expected to hit the region Sunday night, with Mayor John Whitmire announcing the activation of warming centers across the city to protect vulnerable residents.