Flash flooding plagues Houston after heavy storms 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Photo: HC Image 1 of / 48 Caption Close Image 1 of 48 Fences damaged by a possible tornado on Gaines Road near Bissonnet Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Sugar Land. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) Fences damaged by a possible tornado on Gaines Road near Bissonnet Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Sugar Land. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 2 of 48 A house near Sugar Land after it was hit by a tornado on Monday, Jan. 9, 2011. A house near Sugar Land after it was hit by a tornado on Monday, Jan. 9, 2011. Photo: (James Nielsen / Chronicle) Image 3 of 48 A home damaged by a possible tornado in the 15000 block of Turphin Way Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Sugar Land. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) A home damaged by a possible tornado in the 15000 block of Turphin Way Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Sugar Land. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 4 of 48 Umair Sayyed looks over damage by a possible tornado inside the home where his he lives with his family in the 15000 block of Turphin Way Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, near Sugar Land. Umair Sayyed looks over damage by a possible tornado inside the home where his he lives with his family in the 15000 block of Turphin Way Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, near Sugar Land. Photo: (James Nielsen / Chronicle) Image 5 of 48 A home damaged by a possible tornado in the 15000 block of Turphin Way Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Sugar Land. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) A home damaged by a possible tornado in the 15000 block of Turphin Way Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Sugar Land. ( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 6 of 48 Fences near Sugar Land were hit by a tornado on Monday, Jan. 9, 2011. Fences near Sugar Land were hit by a tornado on Monday, Jan. 9, 2011. Photo: (James Nielsen / Chronicle) Image 7 of 48 A house near Sugar Land after it was hit by a tornado on Monday, Jan. 9, 2011. A house near Sugar Land after it was hit by a tornado on Monday, Jan. 9, 2011. Photo: (James Nielsen / Chronicle) Image 8 of 48 Umair Sayyed looks over damage by a possible tornado inside the home where his he lives with his family in the 15000 block of Turphin Way Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, near Sugar Land. Umair Sayyed looks over damage by a possible tornado inside the home where his he lives with his family in the 15000 block of Turphin Way Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, near Sugar Land. Photo: (James Nielsen / Chronicle) Image 9 of 48 Cars try to turn onto the Highway 59 feeder lane at the Weslayan Street intersection as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Cars try to turn onto the Highway 59 feeder lane at the Weslayan Street intersection as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 10 of 48 Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 11 of 48 Cars stall Richmond Avenue near Buffalo Speedway as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Cars stall Richmond Avenue near Buffalo Speedway as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 12 of 48 Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 13 of 48 Metro Busses stay put as high water inundate the Richmond Avenue and Buffalo Speedway intersection as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Metro Busses stay put as high water inundate the Richmond Avenue and Buffalo Speedway intersection as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 14 of 48 Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 15 of 48 A pedestrian tries to navigte water as he crosses Buffalo Speedway at Richmond Avenue as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) A pedestrian tries to navigte water as he crosses Buffalo Speedway at Richmond Avenue as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 16 of 48 A SUV tries to get on Highway 59 near Weslayan Street as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) A SUV tries to get on Highway 59 near Weslayan Street as rain pours Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 17 of 48 High water was reported in the Cimarron section of Katy. (Reader photo) High water was reported in the Cimarron section of Katy. (Reader photo) Image 18 of 48 A motorist walks through the median after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) A motorist walks through the median after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: HC Image 19 of 48 Stranded motorists who wish not to give their names talk beside the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Stranded motorists who wish not to give their names talk beside the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: HC Image 20 of 48 A motorist walks through the median after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) A motorist walks through the median after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: HC Image 21 of 48 A car is seen submersed in water Northbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) A car is seen submersed in water Northbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: HC Image 22 of 48 A motorist makes her way to the service road after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) A motorist makes her way to the service road after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: HC Image 23 of 48 A motorist makes her way to the service road after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) A motorist makes her way to the service road after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: HC Image 24 of 48 High-water traffic jam at Westpark and Fondren around noon. High-water traffic jam at Westpark and Fondren around noon. Photo: (Houston TranStar) Image 25 of 48 A motorist makes her way to the service road after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) A motorist makes her way to the service road after she was stranded in the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: HC Image 26 of 48 A stranded motorist sits in the median of the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) A stranded motorist sits in the median of the Southbound lane of Loop 288 north of the I-610 exit Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: HC Image 27 of 48 Street flooding on Washington near Thompson streets. Street flooding on Washington near Thompson streets. Photo: (Cody Duty / Chronicle) Image 28 of 48 Rainy Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. (Anonymous reader photo) Rainy Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. (Anonymous reader photo) Photo: HC Image 29 of 48 Flooding on Westpark at Tanglewilde about 10:30 a.m. Flooding on Westpark at Tanglewilde about 10:30 a.m. Photo: (Houston TranStar) Image 30 of 48 Flooding at Highway 288 at the South Loop 610 around 10:30 a.m. Flooding at Highway 288 at the South Loop 610 around 10:30 a.m. Photo: (Houston TranStar) Image 31 of 48 Flights being rerouted around Bush Intercontinental Airport to avoid the storm. Click here to see it in real time. Flights being rerouted around Bush Intercontinental Airport to avoid the storm. Click here to see it in real time. Photo: (flightaware.com) Image 32 of 48 Power outage map at 10:30 a.m. Click here to see it in real time. 
 
 
 
 Power outage map at 10:30 a.m. Click here to see it in real time. Photo: (CenterPoint) Image 33 of 48 A car, one of six, sits stalled in the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Eastside Street after drenching thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain early on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston, which caused countless commuters to end up stranded in the high water. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less A car, one of six, sits stalled in the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Eastside Street after drenching thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain early on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston, which caused ... more Photo: HC Image 34 of 48 A woman sits as she watches Houston firefighters try to free her car on Richmond Avenue and Wakeforest after her car got stuck in the mud as drenching thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain early on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less A woman sits as she watches Houston firefighters try to free her car on Richmond Avenue and Wakeforest after her car got stuck in the mud as drenching thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain early on ... more Photo: HC Image 35 of 48 Motorists splash through high water at Alabama and Shepherd after drenching thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain early on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) Motorists splash through high water at Alabama and Shepherd after drenching thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain early on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 36 of 48 Spotts Park off of Waugh and Memorial Drive sits in several feet of water after drenching thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain early on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less Spotts Park off of Waugh and Memorial Drive sits in several feet of water after drenching thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain early on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston ... more Photo: HC Image 37 of 48 With briefcase and a empty baby car seat in hand Alexander Veksler abandons his car at South Brasewood and Braewick Dr. in Houston, Tx. Heavy rains hit the Houston area , causing streets to flood Monday January 9, 2010. ( BILLY SMITH II / Houston Chronicle) less With briefcase and a empty baby car seat in hand Alexander Veksler abandons his car at South Brasewood and Braewick Dr. in Houston, Tx. Heavy rains hit the Houston area , causing streets to flood Monday January ... more Photo: HC Image 38 of 48 In a failed attempt to unclog a storm drain, Jack Peery wades into flood waters at South Brasewood and Braewick Dr. in Houston, Tx. Heavy rains hit the Houston area,causing streets to flood Monday January 9, 2010. ( BILLY SMITH II / Houston Chronicle) less In a failed attempt to unclog a storm drain, Jack Peery wades into flood waters at South Brasewood and Braewick Dr. in Houston, Tx. Heavy rains hit the Houston area,causing streets to flood Monday January 9, ... more Photo: HC Image 39 of 48 Luis Rodriguez and other friends help a stranded motorist out of high water in the intersection of Fondren and Harwin Drive as a heavy storm continues to move through the Houston area on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. less Luis Rodriguez and other friends help a stranded motorist out of high water in the intersection of Fondren and Harwin Drive as a heavy storm continues to move through the Houston area on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, ... more Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle Image 40 of 48 A motorist stands in water near a stalled car on Washington Avenue during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) A motorist stands in water near a stalled car on Washington Avenue during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 41 of 48 A Houston fire truck sits stalled under a bridge on Houston Avenue during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) A Houston fire truck sits stalled under a bridge on Houston Avenue during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 42 of 48 A motorist drives through high water on S. Braeswood during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) A motorist drives through high water on S. Braeswood during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 43 of 48 An SUV sits in a flooded ditch during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) An SUV sits in a flooded ditch during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 44 of 48 Ana Rivers walks along the overflowing banks of Braes Bayou during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Ana Rivers walks along the overflowing banks of Braes Bayou during a heavy rain storm Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: HC Image 45 of 48 A motorist drives through high water along the feeder road of Southwest Freeway (59) and Stella Link Road as a heavy thunderstorm moves through the Houston area on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. A motorist drives through high water along the feeder road of Southwest Freeway (59) and Stella Link Road as a heavy thunderstorm moves through the Houston area on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle Image 46 of 48 Motorist park on the pedestrian curb on the feeder road of Southwest Freeway (59) on the exit ramp of Stella Link Road to avoid getting stranded on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. Motorist park on the pedestrian curb on the feeder road of Southwest Freeway (59) on the exit ramp of Stella Link Road to avoid getting stranded on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle Image 47 of 48 Cesareo Benitez looks below at the water level along the feeder of Southwest Freeway and Hillcroft exit where motorist have been stranded for two hours on the exit ramp as the storm moves through the Houston area on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, in Houston. less Cesareo Benitez looks below at the water level along the feeder of Southwest Freeway and Hillcroft exit where motorist have been stranded for two hours on the exit ramp as the storm moves through the Houston ... more Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle Image 48 of 48 Flash flooding plagues Houston after heavy storms 1 / 48 Back to Gallery 
 
 A strong storm front with heavy rain raced through the Houston region today, leaving behind so much water, it's completely shut down Texas 288 at the South Loop. 
 
 Much of the heaviest rainfall occurred before noon as the fast-moving storm pushed east quickly, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters said as much as 4.5 inches of rainfall was recorded in some areas, especially south and southwest of the metropolitan area. 
 
 A tornado and hail were reported out in the Katy area, plus one wind gust of 60 mph was recorded near Highway 290 and the West Loop. 
 
 An apparent tornado tore portions of roofs off garages and homes as well as toppled wooden fences in a residential area near Bissonnet and Gaines near Sugar Land. One resident of a damaged home, 21-year-old Umair Sayyed, said he hid in a closet with his mother and 4-year-old sister as the storm rumbled through the area. 
 
 Another tornado reportedly touched down near FM 1093 at FM 723, near the Grand Parkway and Mason Road earlier this morning. Nickel-sized hail has been reported at Highway 99 and Fry Road, and bigger hail was seen in Wharton County earlier this morning. 
 
 More than a dozen freeway intersections were flooded this morning. 
 
 People in cars stalled in high water on roadways called 911 for rescue, said Houston Fire Department Assistant Chief Lisa Campbell. Firefighters helped people get out of their cars and take them to safer areas. No injuries were reported. 
 
 Also, HFD had no reports of swift-water rescues. 
 
 Campbell said HFD ambulances and engines had trouble making emergency calls because of the high water and have been rerouted around flooded areas. One engine stalled in high water on Houston near Washington in a low area. 
 
 CenterPoint Energy reported power outages affecting about 19,600 customers earlier today. 
 
 FuelFix.com is reporting that areas inside Loop 610 were hardest hit, particularly between Texas 288 and I-45, according to an outage-tracking map updated by CenterPoint every 15 minutes. 
 
 There was a cluster of outages in South Houston as well. 
 
 A flash flood warning was in effect for Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Fort Bend and Harris counties until 2 p.m. 
 
 In Richmond, people were evacuated by boat from areas near downtown, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office. The Richmond Police Department could not be reached for comment. 
 
 Flooded streets forced Metro to reroute some buses and the Metro Rail service in downtown is limited because of water on the tracks. Light rail service is limited to the Downtown Transit Center and the Preston Station on Main Street. 
 
 The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management has upgraded his readiness level in response to the severe weather. 
 
 The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center activated the first stage of its flood response plan late Monday morning after monitoring bayou levels. Spokeswoman Stephanie Asin said the loading docks and the valet parking station at the neurosensory center have been closed. 
 
 Several parking garages in the Texas Medical Center have been closed because of high water. 
 
 Alexa Enriquez, a spokeswoman for the medical center, said Parking Garage 1, 7 and 15 have been closed. Entrances to those garages were closed when water in the Box Culvert off Braes Bayou reached 10 feet earlier Monday morning; Enriquez said the exits were closed when the water level reached 14 feet. They will reopen when the water recedes, she said. 
 
 The forecast 
 
 After today's storms, the area is expected to dry out quickly and a cold front is expected to hit later this week, dropping temperatures to near freezing. 
 
 At least four inches of rain has been recorded in Livingston since midnight Sunday. 
 
 Monday in the Houston area the heaviest downpours and thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon as the storm moves through the region. Forecasters said some spots could record up to about three inches of rainfall but most areas will receive about one inch. 
 
 The high temperature will top out at 71 under cloudy skies. The overnight low will be about 51. South winds will be between 5 mph and 15 mph. A 100 percent chance of rain is likely. 
 
 The area dries out and cools down slightly Tuesday, when rain chances drop to 20 percent. The high will be about 59 degrees under partly sunny skies. The low will be about 42. West winds will be about 15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. 
 
 Sunny skies are expected Wednesday as the Norther, packed with Canadian air, approaches the region. The high will be about 67 degrees before the front arrives, but drops to 44 at night as the front moves closer. 
 
 The high will struggle to about 55 degrees Thursday under cloudy skies after the front hits. The overnight low will be about 33 when the cold air settles in the region. Some spots north of Houston near Huntsville and Conroe could see the mercury dip to freezing. 
 
 Friday is likely to be sunny with a high near 54 degrees. The low will be near 39. 
 
 Temperatures climb on the weekend. The high Saturday will be about 59 under mostly sunny skies. The low will be near 45. 
 
 Clouds build above the region Sunday as another storm system approaches the area. The high will be about 63. Forecasters said it to early to determine if the storm will bring rain. 
 
 dale.lezon@chron.com 
 
 Chronicle photographer James Nielsen, reporter Jeannie Kever, web producer Laura Weisman, and The Associated Press contributed to this report 

 Richard Carson / Reuters This vehicle was among the dozens stranded in high water across Houston on Monday. 
 
 Torrential rain, flooding that cut off highways and even suspected tornadoes gave the Houston area major weather headaches on Monday. 
 
 The Mall of the Mainland in Texas City had to close after damage from a suspected twister Monday afternoon. It was unclear if there were any injuries. 
 
 "The structural integrity of the building has been compromised," Texas City Fire Chief Joe Gorman was quoted by the Houston Chronicle as saying. 
 
 Several homes closer to Houston were damaged by another suspected twister. 
 
 "All the doors in the house were trying to open and shut. It sounded like a train going through, so we hid in the closet," Beverly Moore was quoted by KPRC TV as saying. "It was definitely a tornado. We hid for about 15 minutes." 
 
 Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle via AP This intersection in Houston, at Buffalo Speedway and Richmond Avenue, saw plenty of heavy rain Monday. 
 
 The deluge from the system closed down a stretch of Texas State Highway 288 for most of the day. A dozen other freeway intersections in the Houston area also saw flooding and rainfall of more than four inches in just a few hours. 
 
 "Between 9 a.m. and about noon today the Houston police department had 51 active flood locations with flooding reports and that’s all over the city in city streets,” the Chronicle quoted city spokesman Michael Walter as saying. 
 
 The suburb of Sugar Land got more than six inches of rain. 
 
 The storm cut power to nearly 20,000 utility customers at its peak, and officials reported numerous water rescues of people stranded in homes or cars. 
 
 Houston, like most of Texas, has seen drought conditions for most of the last year and Monday's storm isn't expect to help much on its own. Any sustained recovery will require a long stretch of rain, forecasters say. 
 
 More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
– A deluge of heavy rain, wind, tornadoes, and nickel-sized hail is giving Houston-area residents a major headache today, the Houston Chronicle reports. A fast-moving storm front pummeled the city with winds reaching 60mph and up to 4.5 inches of rain, shutting part of Highway 288 and flooding a dozen other freeway intersections. Apparent twisters ripped roofs off of houses and garages in one residential area and damaged a mall in nearby Texas City, MSNBC reports. No injuries have been reported, but firefighters struggled to rescue people trapped inside cars on flooded roadways, and several Richmond residents were evacuated by boat. About 19,600 Houston-area residents are without power. The area forecast offers a mixed bag, with dry weather rolling in and near-freezing temperatures descending later this week.