Tucson, Arizona – Sub-freezing temperatures are expected across southern Arizona through Saturday morning, Jan. 10, prompting a Freeze Warning for multiple valleys and population centers.
According to the National Weather Service in Tucson, temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing from midnight Friday, Jan. 9 through 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, with the coldest conditions expected early Saturday morning.
Forecast lows for Friday morning, Jan. 9, are expected to range from 27 to 32 degrees across the Tucson Metro Area, Tohono O’odham Nation, Upper Santa Cruz River Valley, and South Central and Southeast Pinal County. Temperatures are expected to fall further by Saturday morning, Jan. 10, with lows between 25 and 30 degrees in these areas.
Colder conditions are forecast in Eastern Cochise County below 5,000 feet, the Upper Gila River Valley, and the Upper San Pedro River Valley, where lows may reach 20 to 25 degrees Friday morning, Jan. 9, and plunge to 15 to 20 degrees Saturday morning, Jan. 10. Communities impacted include Safford, Sierra Vista, Douglas, Benson, Willcox, Clifton, Nogales, Vail, Marana, Green Valley, Oracle, and Tucson.
The National Weather Service reports higher confidence in the coldest temperatures occurring early Saturday, Jan. 10, with the most intense cold between midnight and 9 a.m. each morning. Patchy fog may limit cooling in isolated areas.
Officials warn that frost and hard freeze conditions may kill crops and sensitive vegetation, pose risks to pets and livestock left outdoors, and cause damage to unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents are urged to protect plants, provide shelter for animals, and take steps to prevent pipes from freezing.
Early-morning travel may also be affected by frost in colder valleys and rural areas.
