An Arctic blast will bring bitter cold to Southeast Texas this week. Why it matters: The weather has prompted an extreme cold watch from the National Weather Service on Thursday morning for much of Greater Houston.

More than a dozen warming centers are opening across the city. Mental health case workers will be stationed at the Fonde and Metropolitan warming centers Wednesday. The Northeast Multi-Service Center will be designated primarily for families,

Houston officials plan to open 12 warming centers ahead of this week’s cold blast, a spokesperson for the city’s Office of Emergency Management confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Mayor John Whitmire plans to share more about the warming centers at a 5 p.