Updated 5:20 p.m. Feb. 3: The Katy Independent School District and the Royal Independent School District said they would be closed Friday.

Updated 2:42 p.m. Feb. 3: The Katy Independent School District has cancelled all after-school activities tonight. The Brookshire City Council meeting set for tonight has been cancelled.

Original post 9:03 p.m. Feb. 2: The Katy area can expect wintry weather conditions Thursday night, the National Weather Service said.

Temperatures are already dropping, with a high Thursday forecast for 42°F. The weather service said there was a 70% chance of rain Thursday, with a chance of freezing rain after 5 p.m. Wind chill factor is expected to fall between 20-30°F, but little or no ice accumulation is expected.

On Thursday night, the weather service said there is a slight chance of freezing rain and sleet before midnight. Skies are expected to be cloudy, with a low around 26°F. Wind chill factor is expected to fall between 15-20°F, with blustery winds coming from the north at 15-20 mph. Gusts can be as high as 30 mph.

The weather service said the chance of precipitation Thursday night is 20%. Little or no ice or sleet accumulation is expected.

Katy city first responders, public works, and emergency management personnel are beginning their preparations, the city said. Public works street crews are pretreating overpasses, bridges and roadways that have been vulnerable to ice.

Meanwhile, Katy area residents are urged to prepare for the wintry weather by protecting their pets, pipes and plants.

Residents are urged to wrap their pipes with pipe sleeves, jackets or other insulation options. Plastic bags and towels can also be used if these materials are unavailable. Residents are also urged to wrap their backflow preventers and vacuum breakers.

Residents are also urged to locate their shut-off valve. The valve turns off the main water of a home without having to turn off water at the meter box. Shut-off valves are usually located in a garage or home exterior, the city said.

City residents who need their water shut off are asked to call the city’s Public Works Department at 281-391-4820. Water Department staff will be on call to turn water off/on at the meter box.

The weather service expects conditions to improve Friday, with mostly cloudy skies and the high temperature expected to reach 40°F.