Ice Warnings and Major Closures on I-69 and I-10 Disrupt Houston Saturday Commute
Winter Storm Warning and Dangerous Road Conditions
Houston is currently under a Winter Storm Warning as a significant freeze moves into Southeast Texas this Saturday, January 24, 2026. Forecasters are warning of freezing rain and ice accumulation starting as early as midday Saturday, with the heaviest impacts expected Saturday evening. With up to 0.14 inches of ice possible on local roadways, travel is strongly discouraged. Elevated surfaces, including bridges and overpasses, are expected to ice over first, making even short commutes treacherous. Local authorities have already reported several major accidents early this morning on Montrose Boulevard and Westheimer Road, and conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly as temperatures drop.
METRO Service Reductions and 9:00 PM Shutdown
In response to the impending weather, METRO has announced significant service adjustments to ensure public safety. While METRORail trains are expected to maintain a regular weekend schedule throughout Saturday, most other services will face an early shutdown. Commuters should be aware of the following:
- Bus Services: All local bus routes, Park & Ride, and curb2curb services will be suspended starting at 9:00 PM tonight.
- HOV/HOT Lanes: All High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes will be closed at 9:00 PM and will remain closed through Sunday.
- METROLift: Services will shut down at 9:00 PM, with Sunday operations restricted to life-sustaining medical trips only.
Major Weekend Road Closures
In addition to the weather threats, several major construction projects are causing total closures on primary arteries this weekend. Key closures include:
- I-69 Eastex Freeway: All northbound lanes are closed from Cavalcade Street to the I-610 North Loop until 5:00 AM Monday for bridge repairs. Traffic is being diverted to the frontage roads.
- I-10 Katy Freeway: Two outside westbound lanes are closed from I-45 to Studemont Street for the White Oak Bayou elevation project. The Taylor Street entrance and exit ramps remain closed.
- I-69 Southwest Freeway: One outside northbound lane is closed between Shepherd Drive and Dunlavy, and the Shepherd Drive entrance ramp is completely shut down through Monday morning.
- SH-249 Tomball Parkway: Lane closures continue in both directions between FM-1960 and Perry Road.
Emergency Commuter Assistance
TxDOT crews have begun pre-treating major interchanges and bridges with anti-icing agents, but officials emphasize that these treatments do not guarantee traction on ice. If you are stranded or require transportation to a city-operated warming center, please dial 311 for assistance. Motorists are urged to clear the roads by sunset to avoid the most dangerous period of ice formation.