BEAUMONT, Texas — Southeast Texas is getting ready for some cold weather next week as an Arctic cold front moves in bringing below freezing temperatures to the region.
On Monday we can expect a cold and windy day as the temps drop into the mid to upper 30s in the a.m. hours and the low to middle 30s in the p.m. hours. There's a chance of rain and a very small chance for some sleet on Monday but if it happens only a minimal impact is forecast.
After that we're set to experience two long duration hard freezes of 12 - 18 hours over Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
Be prepared to check on your neighbors and protect your pipes, pets and plants. Ensuring your your vehicle has sufficient antifreeze in the radiator can also be a good idea.
On Tuesday the wind chill could dip into the teens and single digits and a wind chill advisory is possible. Actual low temperatures on Tuesday could be in the upper teens and lower 20's in the Lakes Area to the lower and middle 20's in the Triangle.
By Tuesday afternoon we could see a slow decrease in cloudiness and highs only in the lower to middle 30's.
Wednesday morning will be the coldest day with lows in the middle teens around the Lakes Area and in the upper teens and lower 20's in the Triangle Area. This second long duration freeze could also span 12 to 18 hours. Wednesday's highs will warm into the lower to middle 40's.
Preparations
Some agencies and groups around Southeast Texas are now making plans to deal with the cold.
The City of Nederland is offering to shut off customer's water service at the meter due to the freeze if they request it according to a Facebook post by the city. Nederland water customers must call 409-723-1512 by Saturday, Jan 13, no later than 4 p.m. to make a request.
The city will then shut off their water on Saturday or Sunday and it will not be turned back on until Tuesday at the earliest. Customers are asked to call back to have their service turned back on.
New World Harvest Church in Port Arthur is collecting funds for blankets, cots, pillows and sleeping bags, according to Pastor Keith Richard. Visit the church's website to donate or call Richard at 409-293-8742.
Blankets can be dropped off at the church at 6366 Jade Ave in Port Arthur.
The Red Cross and Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie are teaming up with Pastor Richard to provide a warming station for those in need of assistance.
The warming station will be located at New World Harvest Church. The warming center will be open on January 15 and 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Red Cross volunteers and Port Arthur police officers will staff the shelter.
To get a ride to the warming station if needed, call 409-983-8655.
Nutrition & Services For Seniors will be closed on Tuesday, January 16, and Wednesday, January 17.
They will be providing the volunteers who are scheduled to deliver Monday, January 15 with two shelf stable meals for each client for both days, along with the regularly scheduled meal, according to the Community Outreach Coordinator Jamie Utley.
They will be back in the office Thursday for their regularly scheduled meal deliveries.
Where to get warm...
At least two warming stations will be open in Beaumont next week.
- Henry's Place at Some Other Place - 1107 McFaddin Ave
- Open at 8 a.m. Monday for 24-hour operations through Wednesday afternoon.
- The Salvation Army - 1094 McFaddin Ave
- Open once the temp drops to 40 and stay open through Wednesday when it warms up
Some area schools are already planning on how to deal with the cold.
Deweyville ISD
Classes in the Deweyville ISD will have a two-hour delayed start on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students may not be dropped off before 9:30 a.m. and buses will run two hours late on both days.
Elementary classes will start at 9:45 a.m. with junior/senior high classes starting at 9:50 a.m. Classes will be dismissed at normal times.
Beaumont Catholic Schools
All five of the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Beaumont will be closed on Tuesday, January 16. They will reopen on Wednesday, January 17.
These schools are Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, St. Anne Catholic School, St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School and St. Mary Catholic School.
Colmesneil ISD
Colmesneil ISD announced on their Facebook that school will be closed on Monday, January 15 due to the weather.
On Tuesday, January 16 school will be delayed two hours, starting at 9:45 a.m.
School districts in Hardin-Jefferson and Newton have announced they are monitoring the weather.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.