Winter Storm Advisories And Warming Centers For East Texas

STAY ALERT FOR CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE DAY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY IN EAST TEXAS.

East Texans are preparing for a battle with Mother Nature with a round of winter weather.

While the winter storm of 2021 is still on people's minds, this storm doesn't appear to have the lasting power as the one from February 2021. However, this one can still bring the region to a screeching halt for a day or so depending upon the intensity of winter precipitation.

The National Weather Service has issued:

• Winter Storm Warnings
• Winter Weather Advisory

for portions of East Texas beginning Thursday morning at 6 a.m. and lasting through 12 noon Friday. The warning is for any county that I-20 passes through and to the north.

The northern counties are expected to receive mainly snow.
The central counties are expected to see a mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
The southern counties are expected to receive a very cold rain.

The possibility of all forms of winter precipitation can't be ruled out throughout the entire East Texas area.

The Winter Storm Warnings include the following counties:

• Hunt
• Delta
• Hopkins
• Wood
• Franklin
• Titus
• Camp
• Upshur
• Cass
• Marion
• Kaufman
• Rains
• Van Zandt
• Smith
• Gregg
• Harrison

These counties will most likely be affected by accumulating snow of up to 3" along with some ice potential.

The Winter Weather Advisory includes the following counties:

• Cherokee
• Rusk
• Panola
• Henderson
• Anderson

These counties will be impacted by a mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow.

The effects of this storm are expected to be felt beginning Thursday morning and should exit the area early Friday morning.

By now you should be concerned with the Four P's:

• People
• Pets
• Pipes
• Plants

Make sure you check on your elderly neighbors. Make sure the pets have a warm dry place to sleep. Cover any outdoor exposed pipes and allow inside faucets to drip during freezing hours. Bring in any outdoor plants that will be affected by freezing temperatures.

While it remains cold for the next few days, several warming centers have been opened up across East Texas and will act as shelters for those needing to escape the elements. Warming centers are located:

Tyler
The Salvation Army, 633 N Broadway Ave, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Longview
Longview Public Library, 222 W Cotton St, Monday, Jan. 6 to Friday, Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Hiway 80 Rescue Mission men and women's shelters, 3117 W Marshall Ave and 3123 W Marshall Ave, - available 24/7

Jacksonville
Highway 69 Mission, 203 N Jackson - available 24/7

Palestine
City Hall, 504 N Queen St, starting Jan. 5 through Jan. 11 during the evening and nighttime hours.