Texas Braces for Coldest Air of the Season as Powerful Front Brings Damaging Winds and Widespread Hard Freeze Sunday Morning
TEXAS — The coldest air of the season is surging into Texas, as a strong cold front moves through the state, delivering damaging northwest winds, sharply falling temperatures, and a widespread hard freeze expected by Sunday morning.
Powerful Cold Front Arrives With Strong Northwest Winds
Meteorologists report that a very strong cold front arrived early Saturday, accompanied by northwest wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph in parts of North Texas and around 40 mph within major metro areas. These winds are accelerating the arrival of arctic air, causing temperatures to fall rapidly behind the front.
The combination of strong winds and falling temperatures is producing dangerous wind chill values, making conditions feel significantly colder than actual air temperatures.
Saturday Stays Cloudy, Cold, and Windy Across Much of Texas
Throughout Saturday, much of the state will remain cloudy and cold, with temperatures stuck in the 40s all day across large portions of North and Central Texas. Persistent winds will keep wind chills in the 30s, creating a raw and uncomfortable day even without precipitation. This marks a notable departure from recent conditions and signals the beginning of a prolonged cold stretch.
Sunday Morning Hard Freeze Expected for North Texas
As skies clear overnight, radiational cooling will take over, allowing temperatures to plunge rapidly early Sunday morning. Forecast guidance shows widespread lows between 18 and 25 degrees across North Texas, meeting criteria for a hard freeze. Cold air will also push farther south, with temperatures in the 20s dropping into the Texas Hill Country by sunrise.
San Antonio to See First Freeze of the Season
Farther south, San Antonio is expected to experience its first freeze of the season, a significant milestone for South Texas. While temperatures there may not fall as low as in North Texas, subfreezing readings are still expected, posing risks to sensitive plants and exposed plumbing.
Residents Urged to Protect Pipes and Prepare for Freezing Conditions
With a hard freeze imminent, residents are urged to wrap exposed pipes, drip faucets, and protect pets and plants. Rapid temperature drops combined with strong winds increase the risk of burst pipes and infrastructure strain, especially in areas unaccustomed to prolonged freezing weather.
The coldest conditions are expected early Sunday morning, before temperatures slowly recover later in the day. How cold did it get where you live, and are you preparing for the freeze? Share your experience and stay informed with continuing weather coverage from SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
