Snow expected in southern Texas, across the Gulf Coast overnight
DALLAS - A winter storm could bring travel to a standstill in South Texas and along the Gulf Coast.
Houston
Houston is bracing for the worst.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning that’s in effect for the Houston area from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Light cold drizzle, light sleet, and freezing rain could start there as early as 10 p.m. on Monday.
The area could see between 2 and 4 inches of snow between midnight and about 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
Why you should care:
Snowfall is unusual in Houston and this storm could be worse than many in recent history for the region.
The NWS said there is a significant threat to life and property in the area.
Schools will be closed in Houston on Tuesday, as are the two major airports.
Both Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport announced that flight operations would be suspended on Tuesday in anticipation of hazardous conditions.
The airlines are working with passengers to make flight changes at no cost.
The Texas Department of Transportation and Houston Public Works have been busy pretreating the roads.
Oncor said it has crews on standby to help Houston-area energy providers if needed.
Austin

A Winter Storm Warning is also in effect for Austin, where about 2 inches of snow are possible.
TxDOT said it has already sprayed a brine solution on highways, bridges, and underpasses where snow and ice may accumulate.
Austin is deploying additional snowplows to help clear the way.
Gulf Coast
The same rare winter storm could drop measurable snowfall in major cities from Texas to the Florida Panhandle to the Carolinas.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, about 1-3 inches of snow is forecast for nearly all the Gulf Coast states, with parts of East Texas, central Louisiana and western Mississippi potentially seeing higher amounts between 5 and 8 inches.

The Florida Panhandle and parts of southern Georgia could be in for a bigger mess. As the low-pressure system strengthens, warm air will be pulled in over the Southeast.
With warmer air aloft, snowflakes will begin to melt as they fall from the sky and then will have the opportunity to refreeze at the surface or be plain rain.
Currently, the FOX Forecast Center expects anywhere from 0.10-0.25 inches of ice, but that could change.
Winter Storm Watches have been issued for a half-dozen states across the South and Southeast.
Major cities like Houston, New Orleans, Montgomery in Alabama and Atlanta are all included in the Winter Storm Watches, which will go into effect starting Monday.
Why you should care:
Significant impacts are also expected, including some power outages and travel delays on the roads and at airports across the region.
"Persons should delay all travel if possible," the National Weather Service office in Houston said. "If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility."
Drivers are also urged to leave plenty of room between vehicles and allow more time to arrive safely.