A powerful winter storm has swept across Southeast Texas, forcing dozens of Houston‑area school districts to close campuses, delay openings, and cancel activities as dangerously low temperatures and icy conditions grip the region. With the National Weather Service issuing a Winter Storm Warning and an Extreme Cold Watch, local officials are urging residents to stay off the roads and prepare for prolonged disruptions.
The storm, which began pushing into Texas over the weekend, has brought freezing rain, sleet, and wind chills dropping into the single digits — a rare and disruptive combination for the Gulf Coast. As of January 26–27, 2026, school districts across Greater Houston have enacted widespread closures to protect students and staff from hazardous travel conditions.
A Region on Pause: Widespread School Closures Across Houston
Multiple districts announced full closures for Monday, January 26, as the storm intensified. Among them were Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Alvin ISD, Angleton ISD, Channelview ISD, Clear Creek ISD, Columbia‑Brazoria ISD, Conroe ISD, and many more — a sweeping shutdown that underscores the severity of the weather threat.
Houston ISD, the largest district in Texas, also closed all campuses and offices on Monday due to the icy conditions and dangerously low temperatures. Officials warned families that updates for Tuesday would be communicated as soon as possible, with temperatures expected to remain in the low 20s.
The closures were not limited to K‑12 schools. Several colleges and universities across the region also suspended operations, citing the same concerns: icy roads, freezing precipitation, and the risk of power outages.
January 27: Delays and Additional Closures as Conditions Persist
By Tuesday, January 27, the situation had not improved enough for a full reopening. Goodrich ISD announced a two‑hour delayed start, while Tarkington ISD closed entirely due to a burst pipe that caused a major water leak and disrupted service across multiple facilities.
The combination of freezing temperatures and infrastructure strain — including water line failures — added a new layer of complexity to the region’s recovery efforts. Districts emphasized that student and staff safety remained the top priority as crews worked to assess damage and restore normal operations.
A Storm Weeks in the Making: Warnings and Preparations
The National Weather Service had issued a Winter Storm Watch for Southeast Texas days before the worst conditions arrived, warning of freezing rain, hard freezes, and wind chills dipping into the single digits. Schools began canceling extracurricular events as early as January 23, anticipating the severity of the incoming system.
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles publicly addressed families, noting that meteorologists were forecasting a “significant risk of an ice storm” that could make travel dangerous and potentially life‑threatening. The district urged residents to prepare for the possibility of extended closures.
Extreme Cold Warning: A Rare Threat for the Gulf Coast
The National Weather Service’s Extreme Cold Warning — covering Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston Island, and numerous surrounding counties — highlighted the unusual nature of this event. Temperatures were expected to plunge into the teens, with wind chills even lower. Local energy providers, including CenterPoint Energy and Entergy Texas, stated they were prepared for the storm and monitoring grid conditions closely.
For a region accustomed to mild winters, the combination of freezing rain, icy roads, and prolonged sub‑freezing temperatures created a perfect storm of logistical and safety challenges.
Community Impact: Roads, Events, and Daily Life Disrupted
Beyond school closures, the winter storm forced the cancellation of numerous events across the Houston area. Varsity sports games, district‑wide activities, and weekend programs were postponed or canceled as districts braced for the worst.
Road conditions deteriorated rapidly, with authorities urging residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. The risk of black ice — especially on bridges and overpasses — remained high throughout the early week.
Conclusion: A Stark Reminder of Texas’ Weather Vulnerability
The 2026 winter storm has once again exposed the vulnerability of Southeast Texas to extreme cold events. With widespread school closures, infrastructure strain, and dangerous travel conditions, the region has been forced into an abrupt standstill.
As temperatures slowly rise later in the week, districts will continue assessing damage, repairing burst pipes, and determining when it is safe to resume normal operations. For now, the message from officials is clear: stay informed, stay cautious, and stay warm.
Sources
National Weather Service (NWS) – Houston/Galveston
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
CenterPoint Energy (News Release)
💬 Join the Conversation
Snap decisions aren’t the only thing shaking America this week — Texas is frozen under a storm that has shut down schools, strained infrastructure, and exposed once again how unprepared the Gulf Coast is for extreme cold. As communities navigate closures, burst pipes, and dangerous roads, the real question becomes how a state built for heat adapts to a climate that’s no longer predictable.
👉 What do you think? Is Texas facing a new normal of extreme winter events, and how should schools and cities prepare for the next one?
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