Brace for lows in 20s, teens
Milder winter temperatures will make way for subfreezing conditions starting Tuesday night as a polar vortex blasts much of the central and eastern parts of the country, including Texas. Highland Lakes temperatures will fall from a high of 66 degrees on Tuesday to 24 degrees overnight, and it will get even colder as the week progresses, according to National Weather Service forecasts.
Wednesday’s high should only reach the low 40s before dropping down to around 18 degrees overnight. Temperatures on Thursday and Friday are predicted to be in the high 30s during the day and high 20s at night, possibly rising to just below freezing on Friday.
A low chance of precipitation early Tuesday morning could create icy conditions that night after temperatures drop below 32 degrees, but no rain or snow is in the following days’ forecasts.
Expect clouds on Tuesday, sun on Wednesday and Thursday, and more clouds on Friday.
The weekend will be warmer and sunnier with a high of 51 degrees on Saturday and 62 on Sunday. Saturday’s low will hover around the freezing mark.
PREPARATION
With multiple days of subfreezing temperatures on the way, the Texas Department of Insurance offers the following tips and guidelines for weather-proofing your home:
- Wrap outdoor and indoor water pipes in unheated areas.
- Remove water hoses and wrap outdoor pipes.
- Drain and turn off your lawn sprinkler system.
- Turn off the water to your clothes washer if it’s in an unheated garage.
- Store your lawn equipment in a garage or shed to keep them in good condition for next year.
- If you leave your house before a freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve and leave your heat on.
- During freezing temperatures, let faucets drip from the cold and hot taps or run water through your indoor faucets—hot and cold— before you go to sleep. Follow your local government’s instructions, which might limit water usage.
- Open cabinets under sinks to let your house’s heat warm the pipes.
- If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve. This prevents broken pipes from leaking into your house after they thaw.
The TDI also has guidance on preparing for a commute in wintry conditions:
- Check your car before the weather changes. Test your battery, antifreeze, windshield wipers and fluid, headlights and hazards, heater and defroster, brakes, tire pressure, and tire tread.
- Check road conditions and weather online.
- Leave plenty of time to get where you’re going. If you can wait for better weather, you should. And if there’s a route that lets you avoid bridges, ramps, and overpasses, take it.
- Reduce your speed and don’t tailgate. If there’s ice on the road, you’ll need three times as much space to stop. If you do start to skid, steer in the direction of the skid.
- If you get stuck, stay in your car. Keep your phone fully charged and have a charger in your car. It’s also good to have jumper cables, a spare tire, flares, blankets, a flashlight and batteries, cat litter or sand for traction, food and water, a first-aid kit, and matches in your vehicle.
Check out this week’s “In the Garden” column for tips on protecting plants from frost damage.