If you do suspect a pipe has frozen, keep the faucet open so that water can flow when it melts. Most if not all North Texas hardware stores sell inexpensive exterior faucet covers made of foam that easily attaches to the faucet bib in just a few seconds and do a great job protecting the pipe from freezing. Wrapping valves with towels is not the best long-term solution. About those external faucets, disconnect hoses and insulate the valves. If you have pipes in an attic or crawlspace, are any other exposed pipes outdoors, they'll need insulation. If you're leaving town for a few days, the Texas Department of Public Safety recommends leaving cabinet doors open so that pipes on external walls are more exposed to heat. The drip, drip, drip from running faucets, if heard, can be annoying, so put a sponge or towel in the sink to silently catch each drop. Most North Texans know to insulate their outdoor faucets, but if the cold snap is prolonged it could be a good idea to also leave inside faucets on external walls dripping overnight so that they don't freeze. The Texas Department of Insurance also recommends trimming trees away from power lines, homes, and cars and checking the insulation level in attics. Blocked gutters can lead to water entering the home. Lastly, check your gutters to make sure they are clear and allow for water to flow freely to the downspout. The glaze may need to be applied above a certain temperature and it'll need time to cure - this maintenance is ideally done in the spring or fall. Most modern windows are sealed inside the frame, but older windows may be sealed with a glaze that can crack and need replacing. This will make sure warm air stays inside and cold air stays outside. TEXAS WINTERIZING TIPSīefore the cold, replace worn weatherstripping on doors and windows to ensure there is a good seal. If you haven't already or are planning to travel this week, take advantage of the next few days to winterize your home. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said Friday that it is monitoring weather forecasts and "expects sufficient generation to meet forecasted demand." The operator of the Texas power grid expects to have enough power supplies to meet electricity demand as a surge of Arctic air plunges the state into freezing temperatures next week. Texas Power Grid Is Ready for Upcoming Arctic Cold Front: ERCOT ERCOT SAYS THEY'RE READY FOR ARCTIC STORM ![]() Wind and cold are the primary threats in this event. This event is not expected to be an ice event, which contributed to power outages in February 2021. For this event, only a few flurries are expected. In February 2021 there were several inches of snow blanketed North Texas. ![]() In February 2021, it was below freezing for more than five days. While this is a potentially dangerous winter storm with temperatures well below freezing, it's not shaping up to be a repeat of the prolonged cold we saw in February 2021.īy comparison, this event will have sub-freezing temperatures for only about two days. BITTER COLD YES, BUT THIS ISN'T A REPEAT OF FEBRUARY 2021 High temperatures will only climb into the low 30s on Christmas Eve. Santa will feel right at home with many locations across North Texas feeling more like the North Pole. Temperatures will remain below freezing until Saturday afternoon. Gusts of over 40 mph were common Thursday, but wind speeds will gradually decrease on Friday to around 10-20 mph. Make sure any outdoor holiday decorations are secured. With the added gusty winds, the feels-like temperatures are frigid. Afternoon temperatures were only in the 20s across North Texas. Howling north winds accompanied the front, adding to the chill as temperatures plummeted on Thursday. Temperatures may briefly rise above freezing Saturday afternoon, but they will quickly fall below freezing Saturday night." "This will be cold enough air that you will need to drip your faucets Thursday night through Saturday morning. Please prepare your home, vehicles and pets for this arctic outbreak," said NBC 5 Chief Meteorologist Rick Mitchell. ![]() "You should get ready now for temperatures below freezing for about 60-70 hours. The strong Arctic cold front brings not only the coldest temperatures of the season but the coldest weather to arrive in December since 1990. It's not a Yule log, but mix the cold winter air with snow falling on Fort Worth's 65-foot-tall Christmas tree and you've suddenly got that Christmassy feeling.
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