AUSTIN – Texas Governor Greg Abbott will be briefed Wednesday morning on the latest in the severe winter weather that will affect a large area of the state. He will then hold a news conference in Austin around 10:30 a.m. to announce any updates.

The Governor will be joined by Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Department of Transportation Deputy Executive Director Brian Barth, Electric Reliability Council of Texas CEO Pablo Vegas, Public Utility Commission Chair Thomas Gleeson, and other state officials and emergency management personnel.

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Winter Storm Warning

What we know:

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for parts of North Central and Northeast Texas from 6 a.m. Thursday until Noon on Friday. 

The National Weather Service expects heavy mixed precipitation with a transition to all snow on Thursday evening. Total snow accumulations will be between 2 and 4 inches. The NWS says isolated snowfall amounts could top 8 inches within more intense bands of snow.

Another aspect of a warning is what this weather will impact. Travel could be very difficult for the Thursday morning and evening commutes. 

RELATED STORY: Dallas weather: Winter storm watch upgraded to warning, when to expect snow tomorrow

State Emergency Response Resources

Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to increase the readiness level of the Texas State Operations Center (SOC) to Level II (Escalated Response) ahead of winter weather expected to impact the state, with the greatest impacts beginning Wednesday through the weekend.

What they’re saying:

“With below-freezing temperatures beginning to impact large portions of the state, Texas is increasing the readiness level of the State Operations Center to ensure resources are swiftly deployed to communities,” said Governor Abbott. “As the State of Texas mobilizes the emergency response resources Texans need to stay safe and warm, I urge everyone to remain weather-aware, regularly monitor road conditions before traveling, and heed guidance from state and local officials. I thank all the first responders and emergency management personnel for their efforts to help Texas communities brace for winter weather.”

Winter Storm Watch

The National Weather Service has also issued a Winter Storm Watch which remains in effect from now through Friday night.

What they’re saying:

Heavy mixed precipitation is possible with a transition to snow expected late Thursday. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch are possible.

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes.

Dig deeper:

Texans can locate winter weather safety tips by visiting TexasReady.gov, find warming centers opened and operated by local officials at tdem.texas.gov/warm, and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org.

For the first time since December of 2017, Texas A&M basketball is ranked inside the top 10 in national polls.

The Aggies manhandled the rival Texas Longhorns on Saturday and surged up the rankings. They sit ninth in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and 10th in the AP Poll, released Sunday.

Despite national recognition, the Aggies know they have a lot of work to do if they’re going to stay there, and the next challenge will be daunting. Wednesday night, the Aggies travel to Norman to take on the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners (13-1, 0-1) in their first SEC road test of the year.

WATCH MULTIPLE TEXAS A&M GAMES HERE

No. 9 Texas A&M (12-2, 1-0) won eight games in a row and will put the streak to the test against a good Sooners team looking to bounce back from a 107-79 loss to the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide.

Now, the Aggies are fully entrenched in a grueling conference schedule. Can Texas A&M continue their winning ways Wednesday on the road against Oklahoma? Here’s what you need to know for the matchup:

AGGIES: Texas A&M vs Texas: Aggies use second-half surge for Lone Star Showdown win

Texas A&M vs Oklahoma time

Day: Wednesday

Start time: 8 p.m.

Location: Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

How to watch Texas A&M vs Oklahoma

TV channel: SEC Network

Livestream: Fubo, ESPN+, SEC+

Aggies capitalizing on ‘mature group’

Texas A&M entered the season returning 78% of last year’s total production. That familiarity in Buzz Williams’ sixth season has allowed the Aggies to flourish early this year. With experience a clear advantage for A&M, the team’s maturity has allowed them to get off to the start they’ve had.

“We have a very mature group. We have a group that has really good character, and that’s important. When we’re together, our ideas have to be based on the truth,” Williams said on his weekly radio show Monday.

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A&M’s starting five against Texas (Wade Taylor, Zhuric Phelps, Hayden Hefner, Solomon Thomas, Henry Coleman III) have combined to play 460 games for the program, and that familiarity has helped the Aggies play well together when it matters most.

“The margins are just so thin. You always have to figure out a way to get better,” Williams said Monday. “We’re thankful for Saturday. There’s very little margin over the next nine weeks.”

Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma prediction

Twenty-point wins will be hard to come by in the SEC this season, and the Aggies know it. Wednesday against the Sooners will provide A&M with another measuring stick game, a test they’ve continued to pass. I expect it will be much closer than the Longhorns game was, with Texas A&M finding a way to grind out a one-possession road win over Oklahoma, 77-74.

Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at ACatalina@gannett.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in response to the polar vortex, which is bringing snow, ice and freezing rain across the nation.

According to a Monday statement from the governor’s office, emergency response resources, including transportation crews, the National Guard and medical teams, have been activated.

Governor Abbott urged Texans to stay weather-aware, avoid unnecessary travel and locate nearby warming centers through state-provided resources.

Newsweek has contacted the governor’s office via phone and the Texas Division of Emergency Management via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The polar vortex has triggered freeze warnings and advisories across Texas, threatening human safety and infrastructure.

The freezing temperatures can cause frostbite and hypothermia as well as damage to crops, vegetation and homes. In the past, the state’s transportation and electricity infrastructure has been severely affected by extreme cold events.

With similar conditions forecast, the state’s proactive measures aim to mitigate risks to residents and critical infrastructure. Texans are bracing for potential power outages and dangerous travel conditions.

What To Know

The National Weather Service has forecast sub-freezing temperatures across central, eastern and northern Texas, with wind chills as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas.

Houston and coastal regions may experience 40 mph wind gusts, while Dallas-Fort Worth faces a possibility of single-digit wind chills.

More than 700 Texas Department of Transportation personnel have pre-treated roads, bridges and overpasses with brine and granular materials to improve safety.

Emergency teams from multiple state agencies, including the Texas National Guard, have been deployed to assist stranded motorists, monitor power outages and support with medical emergencies.

The Texas power grid failed in 2021 as a frigid storm left more than 4 million without power or access to food and water. The storm also killed hundreds.

What People Are Saying

Governor Abbott on X: “Today, I activated state emergency response resources ahead of severe winter weather expected to impact the state this week. As Texas faces snow, ice, and freezing rain, we’re working around-the-clock to ensure Texans have necessary resources.”

Dylan Federico, meteorologist for Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, on X: “Dangerous situation with wind chills already in the teens in North Texas. It will feel like the single digits tomorrow morning. Stay safe!”

National Weather Service advice on cold weather safety: “Extremely cold air comes every winter into at least part of the country and affects millions of people across the United States. The arctic air can be dangerous. Combined with brisk winds, dangerously cold wind chill values can result.”

What Happens Next

Texans should prepare for freezing conditions and potential snowfall throughout the week, with warmer temperatures anticipated by the weekend.

State officials will continue monitoring infrastructure and provide updates to ensure public safety.