Much cooler conditions are expected across the region on Friday into the upcoming weekend as an arctic airmass moves south into Texas. This will bring an extended period of cold weather to Central Texas and the coldest temperatures we've seen in a decade. We may see high temperatures in the 30s on Saturday. On Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day, and Tuesday, highs may only manage to make it into the 20s to 30s. Wind chills in the single digits and teens will be possible and lows could be in the teens to low 20s. There is also the slight chance of a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow. According to the National Weather Service, the best chances for a wintry mix is late Sunday into Monday. Please monitor local weather forecasts.
With the anticipated freezing temperatures, it is important to prepare.
- Keep your water pipes from freezing. Freezing pipes can bust and be very expensive to replace. It's a good idea to drip your faucets and wrap all exposed pipes. Below are some additional tips to keep in mind.
- Turn off irrigation systems
- Keep the heat turned on
- Allow faucets to drip
- Keep interior doors open
- Seal up cracks and holes
- Apply heating tape
- Add extra insulation
If you have to be outside, please wear the appropriate clothing.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing
- Wear a hat
- Try to stay dry and out of the wind
- Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold
- Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
It is also very important that your pets have appropriate shelter from the freezing temperatures. As part of our Animal Ordinance, we've included the animal care portion below.
Sec. 4.04.005 Animal care
(f) An animal’s owner shall provide the animal with shelter that:
(1) Is large enough for the animal to enter, stand, turnaround, and lie down in a natural manner; a structure with three sides, a roof and a floor that prevents rain or other precipitation from entering; or a structure of dome, or other, shape with a floor that provides the animal with shelter from all weather conditions;
(2) Keeps the animal dry;
(3) Provides the animal with natural or artificial shade from direct sunlight;
(4) Protects the animal from excessive heat and cold and other adverse weather conditions
(5) Is adequately ventilated; and
(6) Large livestock shall be exempted.
At 32 degrees water bowls will freeze, leaving pets without access to drinkable water
Without shelter their bodies don't keep heat efficiently from the wind and elements
Pets can go into shock, get frost bite to their exposed skin, can suffer irreversible organ failure and death
Do not leave pets in a vehicle
Protect Plants
Plants, gardens and flowerbeds should be covered to trap heat energy from the ground, according to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service.
More information from Texas A&M Agrilife Extension On Protecting Plants in Freezing Weather
