Cold coming: NWS predicts plunging temps, gale-force winds

A strong cold front arrives Tuesday in the Rio Grande Valley, featuring temperatures well below normal Tuesday night through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service Brownsville/RGV station.

NWS said powerful north winds along the lower Texas coastal waters could bring gale-force winds and gusts late Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night. Gale-force winds are between 39-54 mph. Late Monday, NWS announced a Gale Warning was in effect for Tuesday afternoon through overnight Tuesday for Laguna Madre and Gulf waters out to 60 nautical miles. A Wind Advisory was put into effect for Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday morning for Cameron, Willacy and Kenedy counties.

Meteorologists said the colder air mass is expected to reach the Northern Ranchlands by Tuesday early morning and reach south of the Valley by late Tuesday morning to Tuesday afternoon. Northerly winds will steadily increase from late Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening over the Gulf and immediate coast, they said.

Small Craft Advisories likely will be required as early as Tuesday afternoon, Gale Warnings as early as Tuesday evening, plus Small Craft Advisories again Wednesday, according to the forecast.

“Occasional to frequent wind gusts between 34-40 knots (39-46 mph) are possible, especially Tuesday evening through Tuesday night,” according to the NWS bulletin. “Rough bay conditions and Gulf seas of 9-14 feet are possible. Adverse marine conditions continue into Wednesday evening before gradually improving. There will likely be a high risk of rip currents Tuesday night and Wednesday along the lower Texas beaches.”

Tuesday night, temperatures will range from the mid-30s in the Northern Ranchlands to the mid-40s across the Valley, while there’s a less than 10 percent chance it will get below 32 degrees Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, meteorologists said. While a freeze is not expected, the temperature index (the “feels like” temperature) will range from the low 30s across the Northern Ranchlands to mid-30s across the Valley, thanks to the wind factor.

“Similar low temperatures are forecast for Wednesday night into Thursday morning, although clear skies and light winds may promote efficient radiational cooling processes and result in temperatures near or just below 32 degrees Thursday morning across portions of deep South Texas,” NWS said.

There’s a low to medium chance (10-40 percent) that temperatures will fall below 32 degrees in the Northern Ranchlands, according to meteorologists.

“While we are not expecting a freeze, the shock of the cold temperatures could impact tender, young tropical vegetation,” according to NWS. “Consider moving sensitive vegetation indoors as a precaution,” NWS said.

Residents are advised to “remember the four P’s of cold weather preparedness: People, pets, pipes and plants.”

Meanwhile, gale-force winds will create seas of 10 feet or higher, resulting in “high to extreme difficulty” for small watercraft and possibly damaging poorly fastened masts and loose items above deck.

“Waves may overspread the deck, causing additional problems,” NWS warned. “Small craft operators are urged to postpone plans and remain in port until conditions improve by Wednesday evening. Larger vessels and ships should prepare for some difficulty.”

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