Freezing Weather Notification

Winter weather and freezing temperatures are expected this week across Texas. The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday morning (12/23 – 12/24). In such conditions, it is imperative to protect the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes and plants.

People

  • Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
  • If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
  • Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.

Pets

  • Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
  • Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes

  • Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store in protected area.
  • Wrap exposed faucets and pipes – including those outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages and other areas.

Plants

  • Bring potted plants inside or store in garage near interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
  • For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Additionally, if you have an irrigation system, turn off the water to the system at your backflow preventer and then drain the system so your irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are not damaged.

As it pertains to the dripping of faucets, we are asking and advising our residents and customers NOT to drip their faucets. This could cause a dip in water pressure at your facility. If you reside within the greater Houston area and are part of the Regional Water Authorities (West Harris County Regional Water Authority, North Fort Bend Regional Water Authority, North Harris County Regional Water Authority), or receive water from the City of Houston, dripping faucets will put a strain on the system resulting in low pressure or even depleting the water system.

The following sites can also be used as a source of information and to keep you updated:

 

 

Weather Update as of 12/19/22

  • The approaching arctic air outbreak will be the coldest air mass since February 2021.
  • It is forecast that temperatures will drop quickly Thursday Night into Friday Morning.
    • Temperatures likely to be in the teens north of Highway 105, near 20 degrees near I-10, and in the mid 20s south of I-10
    • Many areas could be below freezing for 20-36 hours
  • Many areas will likely not get above freezing on Friday.
  • Though warming into the upper 30s will occur on Saturday, temperatures will drop below freezing on Saturday Night/Sunday Morning

Important to Protect the Four Ps

  • People
  • Pets
  • Plants
  • Pipes

National Weather Service Information

  • Thursday into the Christmas Holiday
    • The Arctic front is on track to move into the area on Thursday. It will bring periods of freezing temperatures (and likely some <25°) into much of the weekend.
    • Too early to confidently pinpoint exactly just how low readings will fall, or how many consecutive hours below freezing any single location will get.
    • Confidence is high that we will see some bitterly cold air and freezing temperatures, but don’t focus on any individual model, or model run, this far out.
    • The specifics will change as time progresses.
  • All businesses and residents should begin preparation for some hard freezes before the coldest weather is set to move in on Thursday.
  • For industry that needs an extended amount of lead time, the NWS encourages individuals to review plans/actions that might need to be implemented should conditions warrant (any extended durations of subfreezing temperatures, gale force winds, high seas, low water conditions, etc.)