HOUSTON — As we approach the start of astronomical winter, the National Weather Service has consolidated and simplified the way cold weather alerts are relayed to the public. While the subtropical climate of southeast Texas leaves us with a few snow or ice days during the winter season, it is still possible for people, plants, and animals to face hazards from extremely cold conditions.
Before Oct. 1, 2024, the National Weather Service had two separate alerts for “freeze” and “hard freeze” watches and warnings. Hard freeze watches and warnings will no longer exist. NWS has consolidated freezing temperature criteria into simply “freeze” watches and warnings.
The National Weather Service defines a Freeze Warning as when temperatures are forecasted to drop below 32˚ for a long period. These conditions could kill certain types of commercial crops and residential plants. When temperatures drop below 28˚for an extended period of time, they could kill most commercial crops and residential plants.
A Freeze Watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures expected within the next 24-36 hours. A Freeze Watch is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season and in the spring at the start of the growing season.
You will also no longer see or hear “wind chill watch” or “wind chill warning.” Instead, they will consolidate dangerously cold wind chill alerts into “Extreme Cold Watch” and “Extreme Cold Warning.”
In Houston, an Extreme Cold Watch is issued when it is possible for areas to experience wind chill values at 15˚or lower. An Extreme Cold Warning is when it is imminent for areas to experience wind chill values at 15˚ or lower.
As temperatures trend cooler during Houston’s coldest months, you will be ahead when cold weather strikes. As a reminder, astronomical winter begins on Dec. 21, 2024.
