Thousands of people in West Texas are expecting frigid temperatures later this week, with National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in Midland/Odessa issuing the first freeze watch of the season on Monday.
NWS Midland meteorologist Cody Lindsey told Newsweek that weather experts will issue a freeze watch around 36 to 48 hours ahead of the expected dip in temperatures to alert farmers and gardeners of the incoming cold temperatures. The watch will likely be upgraded to a freeze warning within 24 hours of the drop.
Why It Matters
The NWS in Midland/Odessa has issued a freeze watch for regions of West Texas, alerting residents and agricultural producers to the threat of subfreezing temperatures expected late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. The warning includes the Guadalupe Mountains, Marfa Plateau, Davis Mountains and communities near the Texas-Mexico border.
These cold conditions hold particular significance for the area’s crops, sensitive vegetation and unprotected infrastructure, potentially marking one of the coldest stretches so far this season.
What To Know
Frost and freeze conditions can damage or destroy plants and may disrupt daily life for residents unaccustomed to such lows. The freeze is expected during a seasonal transition where many areas have experienced above-normal warmth, making the temperature drop more abrupt for communities.
Lindsey told Newsweek conditions are right on track for the first freeze of the season, particularly for the high-elevation areas in West Texas.
According to the official freeze watch issued by the NWS Midland/Odessa office, subfreezing temperatures as low as 28 degrees are possible late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning across the warning area, impacting a broad region stretching from West Texas to the southeastern edge of New Mexico.
The NWS emphasized the major impact that frost and freeze conditions could have on local agriculture.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the freeze watch said.
Residents are urged to take precautions including bringing pets indoors or providing warm, dry shelter, and preparing home plumbing systems for the cold.
According to a time-lapse graphic posted by the NWS Weather Prediction Center, the temperatures in West Texas could be more than 10 degrees below average later this week.
What People Are Saying
NWS Midland/Odessa, in a post to X: “Breezy and chilly weather is on the horizon and some are forecast to see their first freeze of the season. Time to dust off the coats!”
NWS Weather Prediction Center, in a post to X on Sunday: “A cold frontal passage will continue to push east, bringing some below normal temperatures across much of the US. Here is a look of the max temperatures expected this week!”
What Happens Next
The NWS urges residents in affected regions to monitor forecasts and take immediate steps to protect agriculture and property. The agency recommends covering outdoor faucets, wrapping or draining exposed water pipes, and bringing pets indoors or supplying them with warm, dry shelter.