Residents in Colleyville are receiving firewood as the metroplex prepares for winter storms. North Texans are getting ready for the cold weather and potential snowstorm in the following ways:
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The temperatures will be below freezing every night this week.
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A winter storm is expected to bring snow or a wintry mix to North Texas on Thursday and Friday.
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There are steps you can take to protect your pipes as the temperatures plunge.
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The good news for this week is that there won’t be a hard freeze. Temps will rise above freezing during the day.
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The temperatures will be below freezing every night this week.
-
A winter storm is expected to bring snow or a wintry mix to North Texas on Thursday and Friday.
-
There are steps you can take to protect your pipes as the temperatures plunge.
-
The good news for this week is that there won’t be a hard freeze. Temps will rise above freezing during the day.
DallasYou will probably need to take precautions to keep your pipes from freezing when temperatures fall below freezing for the first time in 2025.
The FOX 4 Weather team predicts that every night this week will be below freezing. A possible winter storm is then predicted to arrive into the region on Thursday and Friday, bringing with it snow or a wintry mix.
Dallas weather: Freezing temps arrive, strong chance of wintry mix later this week
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Both copper and plastic pipes can break in freezing temperatures, and even a one-eighth-inch split in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water per day, resulting in flooding, serious structural damage, and the possibility of mold growth, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
When winter temperatures drop, AAA outlines seven strategies to keep pipes from freezing.
1. Insulate your pipes
To protect your pipes from the cold air, it’s a good idea to cover them in insulation before the temperature drops. The pipes that run along exterior walls and in crawl spaces or attics are the most likely to freeze. Since many crawl spaces and attics are not heated, the temperatures there may be much lower than those in your living area.
2. Use caulk or insulation to seal air leaks around pipes
To keep the cold outside, caulk or insulation should be used to tightly cover any leaks around your pipes that let cold air in. According to AAA, you should also check for air leaks near clothes dryer vents and electrical cables.
TxDOT preparing roads with winter weather on the way
In anticipation of cold temperatures and potential snowfall later this week, TxDOT has pre-treated roadways throughout North Texas.
3. Disconnect garden hoses, sprinklers
Any water flow to external sources, including hoses, sprinklers, or exterior faucets, should be stopped if a shutdown valve is present. Sprinklers and garden hoses should also be taken indoors and disconnected. To lessen the likelihood that pipes within the house will freeze, any water from pipes running to external faucets should be drained before the cold temperatures arrive.
4. Allow water to drip from faucets
If subfreezing conditions are predicted, think about turning your faucets on to a slow drip, especially those that are close to an exterior wall. Even a small trickle can keep your pipes from freezing, according to AAA.
What should be in your winter weather vehicle emergency kit
Having a winter emergency pack is crucial in case of a breakdown. About 40% of American drivers told AAA that they don’t carry such a kit, according to AAA Texas.
5. Don’t adjust the thermostat before bed
Before turning in for the night, many individuals turn down their thermostats to reduce their heating costs. You should keep your thermostat set to the same setting at night as you would during the day when there is a chance that the temperature will drop below freezing. Your home may experience frozen pipes as a result of temperature drops, which are more frequent overnight. Your thermostat should never be set below 55 degrees, according to Consumer Reports.
6. Open cabinet doors
Uninsulated pipes under sinks are exposed to the cooler temperatures when cabinet doors are closed, preventing heat from reaching them. You can lessen the chance of those pipes freezing by opening the cabinets to let heat in.
ERCOT issues Weather Watch as Texas expects to see freezing temperatures
Because of the anticipated higher-than-normal demand, Texas power grid operator ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch for the most of this week.
7. Know where the water shutoff valve is located and how it works
According to AAA, you should switch off the house’s main water shutoff valve in case your pipes do freeze. Because there wouldn’t be any water to fuel the leak, doing this crucial step will lessen the harm that a burst pipe could inflict. Using a hair dryer, you might be able to thaw a frozen pipe: Working your way out toward the coldest area of the pipe, start by heating the section nearest the faucet. Make sure the water is turned off at the main shutoff valve, leave the water faucets running, and then call a plumber for assistance if a water pipe has already broken.
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The FOX 4 Weather crew, FOX Weather, and AAA tips provided the information for this article.
The FOX 4 Weather crew, FOX Weather, and AAA tips provided the information for this article.
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