A messy winter storm is expected to hit large parts of North Texas starting Wednesday night, with the potential for snow, ice and sleet, and Gov. Greg Abbott is warning Texans to "stay home" and "be careful" if they live in an affected area.

AUSTIN – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will be giving an update on the state's response to the incoming winter storm that's forecasted to bring sleet and several inches of snow. Abbott is set to speak from Austin on Wednesday in addition to spokespersons from the Texas Department of Emergency Management,

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on social media that if the Gulf of Mexico is renamed, it should be called the "Gulf of Texas."

Texas Gov. Abbott prepares for winter weather, activating the State Operations Center to Level II and mobilizing resources for safety and warmth.

As Texas prepared for severe winter weather, Gov. Greg Abbott expressed confidence Wednesday in the state's power grid. Frigid temperatures -- along with snow, sleet and freezing rain -- were expected to make their way into Texas midweek,

Emergency management teams at the state operations center in north Austin were busy tracking the winter weather that was moving into Texas.

After a Wednesday morning briefing by state emergency response officials, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will update Texans on plans to respond to winter storms expected to hit large portions of the state starting Wednesday night.