Tucson, AZ – Arizona Weather Alert: A Freeze Warning has been issued for several Southern Arizona valleys early Friday morning, with the National Weather Service warning that temperatures could fall into the mid-20s before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Tucson, the warning is in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. MST on Friday, covering the Upper Santa Cruz River Valley, the Altar Valley, the Upper San Pedro River Valley, Eastern Cochise County below 5,000 feet, Sulphur Springs Valley, and portions of the Upper Gila River Valley. Cities included in the warning are Nogales, Douglas, Sierra Vista, Benson, Willcox, Safford, and Clifton.
Forecasters are expecting sub-freezing temperatures ranging from 24 to 30 degrees, cold enough to damage sensitive vegetation, kill unprotected crops, and potentially cause exposed plumbing to freeze. Wind conditions are expected to remain light, which may allow temperatures to drop even more sharply in sheltered areas.
The National Weather Service advises residents to take protective steps ahead of the freeze, including covering tender plants, bringing pets indoors, and insulating outdoor pipes. Allowing faucets to drip slowly overnight can help prevent pipes from bursting.
Agricultural producers and ranchers in particular may need to take action to protect young or vulnerable crops from Friday morning’s cold spell, which could be one of the coldest nights of the season so far for parts of Southern Arizona.
Temperatures are expected to rebound by late Friday morning, but another cold night may be possible later this weekend depending on cloud cover and wind.
