HOUSTON -- As Friday's snowfall turned to ice overnight, officials were forced to close a number of roads and ramps in the Houston area.
Motorists were urged to use extreme caution when navigating the roadways -- especially on elevated bridges and overpasses.
Slick streets were blamed for a number of overnight accidents, two of which were fatal.
It was the earliest snowfall ever recorded in Houston. Some spots got as much as four inches -- more than enough to build a snowman and stockpile frosty ammo for a serious snowball fight. About an inch of snow fell in Houston proper.
Many school districts let out early Friday, allowing kids to enjoy the snow.
Though the winter precipitation was long gone by Friday evening, Southeast Texas remained under a Freeze Warning, effective until 9 a.m. Saturday.
Saturday's high is expected to only reach a chilly 47 degrees, with lows in the 20s across the area.
With a lot of people cranking up their heaters for the first time this season, fire officials said to be sure you don’t stack anything flammable around your heater. If you’re using your fireplace, be sure to open the flue before you light it.
It’s also important to remember your plants and pets.
The SPCA said people should keep their pets indoors during the freeze.
But if you have an outdoor pet, the SPCA said to provide them with a well-insulated pet house that’s wind and waterproof.
And even if you don’t have a pet, the SPCA said to bang on the hood of your car before you start it. They see a lot of cat injuries when it gets really cold, because the cats tend to hide under car hoods to keep warm.
