Corpus Christi, Texas – A rare and potentially damaging cold outbreak is expected to impact South Texas and the Coastal Bend beginning late Saturday, bringing bitter wind chills and a prolonged freeze threat into early next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi, an Extreme Cold Warning is in effect from 9 PM Saturday until noon CST Monday for much of the Coastal Bend and inland South Texas. Wind chills are expected to fall to between 15 and 25 degrees Sunday morning, then drop further to 5 to 15 degrees by Monday morning, creating conditions where frostbite and hypothermia are likely without protection.
Counties under the warning include Victoria, Goliad, Bee, Live Oak, McMullen, La Salle, Refugio, Calhoun, and Aransas, including Rockport, Port Lavaca, Beeville, Victoria, Goliad, Three Rivers, George West, Woodsboro, and Port O’Connor. Coastal and barrier island locations will also see dangerous cold, though slightly higher wind chills than inland areas.
In addition, a Freeze Watch is in effect from late Saturday night through Monday morning, with sub-freezing temperatures as low as 18 degrees inland and near 25 degrees along the barrier islands. These conditions could damage crops, sensitive vegetation, and unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Residents are urged to dress in layers, bring pets indoors, protect plants and pipes, and check on elderly neighbors. The Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect from 9 PM Saturday through noon Monday, and additional advisories may be issued as confidence increases in the freeze threat.
