Weather
Arkansas-Oklahoma Weather Alert: 28° Freeze Warning Friday Nov 13
Fayetteville, AR – Temperatures could plunge to 28 degrees across portions of Arkansas and Oklahoma early Friday, threatening gardens, sensitive vegetation and exposed plumbing. Federal meteorologists
By Rachel Monroe · 2026-11-12T20:25:08.577Z
Fayetteville, AR – Temperatures could plunge to 28 degrees across portions of Arkansas and Oklahoma early Friday, threatening gardens, sensitive vegetation and exposed plumbing. Federal meteorologists have issued Freeze Warnings covering a large section of the region as colder November air settles in.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Little Rock, Arkansas, Freeze Warnings take effect at midnight Thursday night and continue until 8 a.m. CST Friday, November 13.
The warnings cover portions of northern and northwestern Arkansas, along with northeastern and east central Oklahoma.
Residents have only hours to complete preparations before temperatures fall below freezing.
Freeze Warnings Expand Across Arkansas and Oklahoma The Tulsa weather office issued its warning at 11:29 a.m. Thursday, identifying temperatures as low as 28 degrees across the affected region.
Communities under the warning include Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Rogers, Berryville, Eureka Springs, Huntsville and other northwest Arkansas locations.
Across Oklahoma, affected communities include Bartlesville, Claremore, Miami, Vinita, Grove, Pryor, Tahlequah, Nowata, Pawhuska and Stilwell.
The National Weather Service in Little Rock also issued a Freeze Warning at 11:23 a.m. Thursday for portions of northern Arkansas.
That warning includes Mountain Home, Harrison, Batesville, Mountain View, Pocahontas, Heber Springs, Marshall, Yellville, Walnut Ridge and surrounding communities.
Both warnings identify temperatures potentially falling to 28 degrees.
Eight Hour Warning Raises Concerns for Plants and Pipes The most immediate concern is damage to sensitive vegetation and unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Temperatures below freezing can damage tender plants, while readings near 28 degrees increase the potential for more significant vegetation losses.
Gardeners should move vulnerable potted plants indoors and cover sensitive outdoor vegetation before midnight.
Homeowners should also inspect exposed water lines, disconnect garden hoses and protect outdoor faucets.
The National Weather Service recommends wrapping or draining vulnerable pipes or allowing water to drip slowly when appropriate.
These precautions become increasingly important as temperatures approach the upper 20s.
Sharp November Cold Arrives Before the Weekend The freeze comes as a broader cold air mass spreads across the central and eastern United States.
The NOAA Weather Prediction Center has highlighted a significant temperature shift, with freezing conditions extending unusually far south heading into the weekend.
For northern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma, Friday morning represents an immediate concern.
Residents should not assume that afternoon sunshine or milder daytime temperatures will eliminate the risk to plants and plumbing.
The warnings currently cover Friday's early morning hours. Additional freeze conditions later in the weekend would require updated local forecasts.