Temperatures, which only rose into the lower and mid 30s across much of the region on one of the coldest New Year's Days in years, slid back to or below the freezing point overnight and through the early to mid morning hours on January 2nd, 2018. Once again, light wintry precipitation created minor icing of trees and some grasses with minimal impact, this time in a pocket of the Lower Rio Grande Valley between Weslaco and Harlingen, extending north to Willacy County.

Frost/Freeze in KENEDY, TEXAS
From 02-JAN-18 00:00:00 to 02-JAN-18 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

After only rising a few degrees into the lower and mid 30s during the afternoon of New Year's Day, temperatures would bottom out once again overnight and during the early morning of January 2nd, reaching 31 degrees 7 miles east of Sarita, and 30 degrees 4 miles southeast of Armstrong.

Frost/Freeze in WILLACY, TEXAS
From 02-JAN-18 05:00:00 to 02-JAN-18 10:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

After only rising a few degrees into the mid 30s during the afternoon of New Year's Day, temperatures would bottom out at or below 32 degrees in much of inland Willacy County early on January 2nd. Low temperatures fell to 30 degrees at Raymondville, and proxy observations in eastern Hidalgo and southern Kenedy County suggested nearly all of the county had 32 degree or lower temperatures for several hours. It was not known if light icing had occurred, which was the case in western Cameron and eastern Hidalgo County.

Frost/Freeze in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 02-JAN-18 06:22:00 to 02-JAN-18 09:30:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

After only rising a few degrees into the mid and upper 30s during the afternoon of New Year's Day, temperatures would bottom out around 32 degrees across western Cameron County early on January 2nd. Low temperatures fell to 32 degrees in Harlingen, and there were several reports of light icing on trees and grasses with limited impact.  Temperatures would struggle to rise for a second day, reaching the upper 30s in most areas and setting the stage for another freezing morning on the 3rd.

Frost/Freeze in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 02-JAN-18 04:35:00 to 02-JAN-18 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

After only rising a few degrees into the mid and upper 30s during the afternoon of New Year's Day, temperatures would bottom out around or just below 32 degrees across pocket of Hidalgo County, including all but the northern third and around urban McAllen, during the early morning of January 2nd. Weslaco/Mid Valley Airport fell to 31 degrees at around 830 AM; at this time, light freezing drizzle and perhaps some sleet resulted in a few reports of light icing on trees and grasses with limited impact.  Temperatures would struggle to rise for a second day, reaching the upper 30s in most areas and setting the stage for another freezing morning on the 3rd.

Frost/Freeze in STARR, TEXAS
From 02-JAN-18 02:00:00 to 02-JAN-18 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

After only rising a few degrees into the low to mid 30s during the afternoon of New Year's Day, temperatures would bottom out around or just below 32 degrees across much of Starr County. Falcon Lake Mesowest would bottom out at 32 degrees shortly after 2 AM and continue at or near the freezing point through 730-8 AM. The cooperative observer in Rio Grande City recorded a minimum temperature of 30 degrees.  There did not appear to be any notable freezing precipitation in Starr on the 2nd, where drier air was present near the surface.