Freeze Warning: Winter Temperatures to Plunge in Two Southern States

1 day ago 5

Arctic air is expected to bring sub-freezing temperatures to Texas and Louisiana, according to freeze warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS).

Newsweek has reached out to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's press team and Texas Governor Greg Abbott's communications director via email on Sunday.

Why It Matters

Temperatures this winter have fluctuated significantly, starting with a slow onset of cold weather, followed by periods of warmth. Now, an Arctic outbreak, from disruption of the polar vortex, along with Winter Storm Blair, is bringing exceptionally cold temperatures to large parts of the United States.

Cold temperatures raise concerns about energy use and heat, potentially causing natural gas to spike. In addition, freezing temperatures pose heightened health risks for vulnerable populations, including young infants and elderly individuals, as well as dangerous travel conditions.

What To Know

Early Sunday morning, the NWS issued freeze warnings for portions of south central and southeast Texas, including Houston and Galveston, and southwest Louisiana. NWS issues freeze warnings when "significant, widespread freezing temperatures are expected."

Texas Weather

The freeze warning impacting swaths of Texas is in effect from midnight tonightto 9 a.m. CST Monday. NWS expects "sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28" degrees Fahrenheit. There is also a Cold Weather Advisory in effect from midnight tonightto 11 a.m. CST Monday.

"Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing," the NWS said. To prepare for the cold temperatures, NWS advises residents to exercise caution while traveling, dress appropriately, keep pets indoors as much as possible, and do not use generators or grills inside.

In Houston County, a freeze warning "for hard freezing conditions" is in effect from midnight tonight to 9 a.m. CST Monday, with temperatures as low as 22 expected. "To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly," the warning advises.

Texas was hit with freezing temperatures related to the polar vortex in 2021, with winter storms leaving millions without power.

Louisiana Weather

In southwest Louisiana, a freeze warning is in effect from 3 to 10 a.m. CST Monday, with temperatures between 28 and 32 F expected. In addition, with a wind advisory and cold weather advisory, the NWS warns that "tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures."

Freeze Watches, Winter Storm Blair and Polar Vortex

Other portions of Texas and Louisiana are under cold weather advisories and northeast Florida and southeastern portions of Georgia are under freeze watch.

The warnings come as Winter Storm Blair, named by the Weather Channel, is moving across the central the U.S., bringing heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice through late Monday night. Meanwhile, pressure changes of the polar vortex are bringing Arctic air southwards.

Blair, a major winter storm, is expected to "significantly reduce visibilities" and bring the largest snowfall in a decade to areas from Kansas to the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians, making "travel extremely hazardous, with impassable roads," the NWS warns. Widespread power outages are expected to affect millions of Americans.

"Arctic outbreaks are often associated with a weakening of the Polar Vortex. When the Polar Vortex weakens, it allows the cold air contained in the Vortex to spill southward, instead of staying bottled up at the poles," NWS public affairs specialist and meteorologist Erica Grow Cei told Newsweek on Friday.

What People Are Saying

Meteorologist Ryan Maue wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday morning: "Dallas Ft Worth just went from 67°F to 48°F with frontal passage w/nearly 50 mph wind gusts. Temperatures continue to fall to near freezing by 7 pm this evening."