Southeast Texas' outlook for next week's winter storm continues to worsen, with a growing likelihood of a deep freeze and substantial wintry precipitation, snow and sleet in the Houston area. Space City Weather's Eric Berger published an atypical afternoon report on Friday warning of an "increasingly likely" and drastic mix of hard freeze and snowy conditions expected in Southeast Texas early next week.

HOUSTON - The next Texas winter storm is almost here, and it's going to be ugly. Houston will avoid the worst of it. Wednesday will be cloudy, breezy and cold, so bundle up. Highs will be in the mid-40s. Thursday gets interesting. Ice and snow begin for north-central and North Texas.

As a significant winter storm approaches the Houston area, snow, sleet and ice are all becoming certainties as the temperatures decrease and conditions are forecasted to be more frosty than expected.

Houston officials are preparing for severe cold weather expected to hit the region Sunday night, with Mayor John Whitmire announcing the activation of warming centers across the city to protect vulnerable residents.

A blast of cold air is expected to move into Houston on Sunday, and we could see snow and ice early next week. Here's our forecast.

Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing on Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service. As of Friday, Houston's forecast also called for a likelihood of snow on Monday night and Tuesday morning.