Prepare now: FREEZE WARNING issued Wednesday night for Central Brazos Valley

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The first freeze of the season occurred Wednesday morning for many across Milam, Robertson, Leon, Houston, and Lee Counties. That freeze line and potential is expected to sink further south into the Brazos Valley Wednesday night. A new FREEZE WARNING has been issued for central portions of the area in preparation for a light freeze and end to the growing season for some plants and crops.

WHAT: Sub-freezing temperatures between 29° and 32° for as long as 1 to 4 hoursWHERE: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Houston, Madison, San Jacinto, Trinity, & Walker CountiesWHEN: 1am – 9am ThursdayIMPACTS: Frost and freeze conditions will have the potential to kill crops and other sensitive vegetation
Forecast low temperatures by sunrise Thursday morning

Bryan-College Station is expected to officially stay above a freeze by a few degrees at Easterwood Airport. Backyard thermometers, particularly those near more grassy neighborhoods or parks, have the potential to fall to or just below freezing for 1 to 3 hours inside the city limits. As a side note, the first official freeze last winter did not occur until December 22nd when the low temperature dropped to 18° at the airport.

While no longer included in the warning, due to the first freeze of the season already occurring, another night at or below 32° is expected for the northern Brazos Valley. Further south, wind temperatures should remain 1° to 3° above freezing, tender plants should be covered or brought in due to the potential of a light frost.

WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE

Much like the freeze experienced in the northern Brazos Valley early Wednesday morning, this is not a hard freeze that will cause damage to most pipes or hardy plants. There is no need to drip indoor faucets or cover bushes and plants that can withstand a light freeze. This is a freeze that can do damage to:

Sensitive vegetation, tender plants, potted plants, hanging plants, citrus treesExposed, above-ground, outdoor pipes

The National Weather Service suggests taking steps during the day Wednesday to protect these plants from the cold either by bringing them indoors by evening or covering them with a sheet or frost cloth. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor, exposed water pipes, they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drink them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from potentially freezing.

Pets and livestock should be given a warm place to sleep and shelter from the cold again Wednesday night. A southerly wind returns to the area Thursday, slowly nudging morning lows back to the 40s and 50s Thursday and Friday night. By the weekend, low temperatures are expected to run unseasonably mild once again, starting days in the low 60s. There is no concern for damage to sensitive plants after early Thursday morning.

A light freeze is expected for as long as 1 to 4 hours before and around sunrise Thursday