Brownsville, Texas – A rare and dangerous cold outbreak is bearing down on the Rio Grande Valley, with freezing temperatures and extreme wind chills expected to create life-threatening conditions overnight into Monday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Brownsville, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 9 p.m. Sunday through 10 a.m. Monday across Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Starr, Zapata, Brooks, Jim Hogg, and Kenedy counties. An Extreme Cold Warning will be in place from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday, when wind chills could drop into the mid to upper teens across much of Deep South Texas.
Temperatures are expected to fall as low as 15 to 18 degrees in some inland areas, with widespread frost and freeze conditions threatening crops, landscaping, and unprotected plumbing. In Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, Weslaco, and Edinburg, residents face a heightened risk of burst pipes and power strain during the coldest pre-dawn hours. Coastal communities including Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, Port Mansfield, and South Padre Island will also see unusually cold conditions, compounded by wind exposure.
Emergency officials warn that frostbite and hypothermia can occur quickly, especially for those without adequate shelter or heat. Residents are urged to finish protecting pipes and plants, bring pets indoors, dress in layers with face and hand coverings, and check on elderly neighbors. Portable heaters should be used carefully, and generators or grills must never be operated indoors.
Conditions are expected to improve after sunrise Monday, though lingering cold may persist into the afternoon. Freeze and Extreme Cold Warnings remain in effect through Monday morning.
