NWS: Batten Down the Hatches; Winter Is Coming!

SAN ANGELO – A strong arctic cold front is rapidly moving toward the Concho Valley Wednesday and will drop temperatures dangerously low into the single digits for the next two nights.  

According to updated information from meteorologists with the National Weather Service office in San Angelo, the strong arctic cold front will move through the Big Country during the day Wednesday and will impact the Concho Valley and San Angelo Wednesday night.  

Forecast models have moved most of the precipitation south of the Concho Valley so no snow or freezing rain is expected in the San Angelo area, but the frontal system is a moving target so there is still a 10 percent chance of snow in the forecast for Thursday morning.  Any wintery precipitation that falls will be light but it will be cold enough to freeze bridges and overpasses making driving hazardous especially along the I-10 corridor Thursday. 

Expect temperatures to top out around 69 degrees by mid afternoon then drop as the cold front moves in.  Temps will dip into the low 20s to upper teens overnight with dangerous to deadly wind chill values in the single digits.  

Temperatures will struggle to get above freezing in San Angelo Thursday and will drop into the upper teens Thursday night.  Wind chill values will be in the single digits.  

Temperatures and wind chills this cold for a prolonged time will threaten the life of unprotected outdoor pets and livestock.  Unprotected pipes will burst and plants will suffer unless they are protected.  

Most areas will remain dry as this strong arctic cold front makes its way through the area.  Temperatures are forecast to remain below normal through the weekend.  

This a developing and potentially dangerous weather situation.