The first freeze of the season will hit northern Arizona late Tuesday night, with temperatures anticipated to drop to the mid-20s to low 30s by early Wednesday. Residents in the Little Colorado River Valley, Painted Desert, and Chinle Valley should brace for quickly lowering temperatures and probable damage to unprotected vegetation and infrastructure.
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Freeze Warning from 11 p.m. Tuesday to 8 a.m. Wednesday. Overnight low temperatures may be chilly enough to damage gardens, crops, and other delicate vegetation. To avoid bursts, homeowners should cover or drain exposed exterior pipes and let faucets drip slowly.
Those with in-ground sprinkler systems should drain and cover the above-ground components before the temperatures drop. Residents are also asked to bring pets indoors and protect sensitive plants tonight.
Temperatures are predicted to rise slightly by midweek, although more frigid mornings are possible later in the week. The National Weather Service warns caution as northern Arizona’s first freeze tightens.