The National Weather Service is predicting sub-freezing temperatures in the Austin area tonight, with lows expected in the mid to upper 20s early Friday morning. The Hill Country may see lows in the upper teens. With cold weather upon us, the NWS and the Williamson County Office of Emergency Management suggest taking steps to protect plants, pets and pipes against the area’s first hard freeze of the year.

Pets and livestock

1. Pets should be brought indoors. 2. Livestock should be sheltered if possible to protect against hypothermia and dehydration, and should have an ample supply of food, water and bedding.

Plants

3. Gardens should be covered with cheesecloth or burlap to prevent freezing, but allow air flow. 4. Plants can be covered in plastic, but plastic should be removed during daylight hours to prevent plants from overheating. 5. Soil surrounding plants should be watered well. Plants require hydration even in cold weather. 6. Potted plants should be brought indoors. If relocation is not possible, wrapping pots with towels may help prevent roots from freezing.

Pipes

7. Foam pipe covers are available at most hardware stores. They fit over exposed exterior taps, and adjust to create a seal against exterior walls. 8. If foam covers are not an option, pipes can be wrapped with towels to insulate. 9. Let interior faucets drip. A slow drip may help prevent pipes from freezing. 10. Open cabinets under sinks to allow heated air to flow over pipes. Should frozen pipes be an issue, the Williamson County Emergency Management Office recommends calling a plumber to assess any damage. The cold weather leaves as fast as it arrived. The NWS predicts temperatures in the Austin area to return to the 60s Monday and Tuesday and low 70s Tuesday. Temperatures should remain seasonable in the mid 50s to end next week.