The federal National Weather Service has imposed freeze warnings and watches on parts of southern Texas from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET on Saturday as a polar vortex slams into the state.
In total, 15 counties in the Lone Star State are either partially or completely covered with freeze warnings, while another four have NWS freeze watches in force.
Why It Matters
In areas covered by a freeze warning, the NWS warns that temperatures could drop to 25-32 degrees, and residents should "take action to protect your people, your pets, your plants and your pipes."
Those counties with freeze watches could see temperatures fall to 30 degrees, with the NWS urging locals to "dress warmly in layers and limit outdoor exposure."
What To Know
NWS freeze warnings are in place overnight for the counties of Webb, Durval, Jim Wells, La Salle, McMullen, Live Oak, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Refugio, Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Aransas and Calhoun.
Freeze watches are also in place for Kenedy, Brooks, Jim Hogg and Zapata counties. The NWS advises residents to "protect and shelter people, pets, plants and pipes" and to "check and practice heat safety at home," including keeping heaters at least three feet from other objects.
On Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the polar vortex, which is forecast to cause temperatures to plunge across the state.
Separately, NWS winter weather advisory notices are in place for more than 20 counties in northeastern Texas, where the agency forecasts overnight temperatures to fall to 15-25 degrees, with a danger of black ice.
For these areas, the agency said: "Very cold temperatures are expected tonight with overnight lows falling into the teens to mid 20s. Remember to bring pets inside and protect any exposed outdoor pipes. Temperatures will be cold enough to freeze any liquid on roadways, and black ice may become a concern. There is also a potential for freezing fog, particularly along and east of I-35."
Winter storm warnings have also been applied to the most northeasterly Texan counties, where residents are warned that "any lingering moisture on area roadways will quickly refreeze on Friday night through Saturday morning as temperatures plummet into the 20s overnight."
What People Are Saying
Texas Governor Abbott, on X, formerly Twitter: "Activated state emergency response resources ahead of severe winter weather expected to impact the state this week. As Texas faces snow, ice, and freezing rain, we're working around-the-clock to ensure Texans have necessary resources."
Meteorologist Nathaniel Tabor, on X: "I've been talking on this for a while, but the euro ensembles look very bullish on some potent cold air invading the Great Plains, including Texas, beginning around the 19th or so. Right now looking like this could be the coldest air of the season for many."
What Happens Next
According to The Weather Channel, on Sunday, temperatures across Texas should increase somewhat, with cloudy skies for much of the state and a 24 percent chance of rain.
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