The watch is in effect from Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon. Heavy accumulations of sleet and snow are possible.

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.

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.

The Houston area is bracing for cold and potentially some winter weather. FOX 26's Mike Iscovitz takes a look a the forecast.

Preparations are underway from Houston to Atlanta as a rare winter storm sets its sights on the southern U.S., where it's expected to bring a messy mix of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain that could have a major impact on travel and daily life.