On Sunday at 1:55 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated freeze warning in effect until 10 a.m. The warning is for Guadalupe Mountains Above 7000 Feet, Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains, Van Horn and Highway 54 Corridor, Eastern Culberson County, Reeves County Plains, Chinati Mountains, Marfa Plateau, Davis Mountains, Davis Mountains Foothills, Central Brewster County and Chisos Basin as well as Gaines, Dawson, Borden, Scurry, Andrews, Martin, Howard, Mitchell, Loving, Winkler, Ector, Midland, Glasscock, Ward, Crane, Upton, Reagan and Pecos counties.

The NWS says to anticipate, “Sub-freezing temperatures between 20 and 25 in the mountains and Southeast New Mexico, and 25 to 32 elsewhere.”

“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Late season cold snaps have the potential to damage or kill young vegetation,” adds the NWS. “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Bring pets indoors, or ensure that they have warm, dry shelter.”

Freeze watch or warning – this is what it means

Freeze warnings are issued from May to October (but can be extended if necessary), when low temperatures are expected to be 29-32 degrees. If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.

According to the NWS, if a freeze warning or watch is issued for your area, there is little you can do to protect plants. If you can move your sensitive plants inside, do so because the freeze will likely kill them, depending on the severity of conditions.

Source: The National Weather Service