SAN ANGELO, Texas – An urgent Freeze Warning is in effect from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. CDT Thursday across all of West Central Texas, including Abilene, Brownwood, San Angelo, Brady, and Junction, as temperatures are expected to plunge between 27 and 32 degrees overnight. The National Weather Service in San Angelo warns that this will be the first widespread freeze of the season, likely ending the growing season across the region.
According to the National Weather Service, light winds, clear skies, and dry air behind a cold front will allow heat to escape rapidly after midnight, sending temperatures into the upper 20s in low-lying and rural areas. The coldest spots are expected in Irion, Runnels, Sterling, and Crockett Counties, where frost and hard freeze conditions may persist well after sunrise.
Residents are urged to cover or bring in sensitive plants, wrap or drain outdoor pipes, and allow faucets to drip slowly to prevent freezing. Pets should be brought indoors or provided with insulated shelter. Those with in-ground sprinkler systems should drain and cover exposed pipes to avoid costly burst damage.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, drivers may encounter patchy frost on bridges and overpasses during the early morning commute, especially along I-20, U.S. 67, and U.S. 87 corridors. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution on elevated surfaces.
Temperatures will rebound slightly Thursday afternoon under sunny skies, but another cold surge this weekend could bring renewed frost and freeze risks to the Hill Country and Big Country regions.
