First Widespread Freeze Expected Tonight in North Texas

North Texas is preparing for the first widespread freeze of the season, with the National Weather Service in Dallas/Fort Worth issuing a freeze watch for several counties. The freeze watch will be in effect from midnight tonight through 9 a.m. Friday.

Counties north of Dallas, including Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, and others, are expected to experience sub-freezing temperatures, with lows potentially dropping to 29 degrees. The cold weather may bring frost and freeze conditions that could harm crops, sensitive vegetation, and unprotected outdoor plumbing.

To protect plants from the cold, the National Weather Service recommends covering tender vegetation and keeping pets indoors. Thursday will see cooler temperatures behind a cold front, with winds around 10-15 mph during the day and cooling overnight into the low to mid-30s.

The freeze will persist into the weekend, with another cold front expected late Saturday. Areas along the Red River may experience light freezes on Sunday and Monday mornings. The average first freeze in North Texas typically occurs around November 22, and the region experiences an average of 29 days with freezing temperatures each year.