A strong push of Arctic air arrived late on December 22nd across the Northern Ranchlands before sweeping through the Rio Grande Valley the morning of December 23rd. What followed were some of the coldest temperatures the region has seen in the month of December since 1989. All of the region dipped below freezing for several hours with some stations experiencing stretches nearing 30 consecutive hours. The combination of the wind and cold led to dangerously cold wind chill values between 5 to 15 degrees at times the morning of December 23rd. Widespread freezing temperatures were recorded December 23rd and 24th with light freezes occurring in the Northern Ranchlands the mornings of December 25th and 26th.
Details, including photos and videos, on this event can be found at this story map, at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f62245472d744bcfac30b15c47f44f80
Over 160 cold stunned sea turtles were rescued from the Laguna Madre and nearshore Gulf waters between December 23rd and December 25th.
Agriculture and Livestock damages will be updated as they become available.

Frost/Freeze in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 25-DEC-22 23:35:00 to 26-DEC-22 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 11:35PM CST on December 25th and did not rise above freezing until 3:15AM CST on December 26th. The Brooks County Airport (KBKS) observed a low of 29 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 22-DEC-22 23:15:00 to 24-DEC-22 10:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 11:15PM CST on December 22nd and did not rise above freezing until 10:55AM CST on December 24th. The Jim Hogg County Airport (KHBV) observed a low of 24 degrees during the stretch.

Frost/Freeze in SOUTHERN HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 02:15:00 to 24-DEC-22 09:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 2:15AM CST on December 23rd and did not rise above freezing until 9:35AM CST on December 24th, or a stretch of 31 hours. The Edinburg International Airport (KEBG) AWOS was used for the timing of this event. The AWOS at the Mid Valley Airport (KTXW) in Weslaco also experienced a similar freeze duration between 3:15AM CST December 23rd to 9:15AM CST with only two observations at 33 degrees. Similar duration and temperatures were also recorded at the Texas Water Board site near La Villa (TBW67). The observed low at both KEBG and KTXW was 28 degrees with TBW67 recording a low of 27.
Miller International Airport (KMFE) in the more populated portion of southern Hidalgo County experienced at or below freezing temperatures between 3:53AM CST December 23rd through 12:53PM CST with an observed low of 30 degrees.
According to the Texas International Produce Association, there was notable damage to herbaceous crops such as cilantro, dill, and parsley across fields near Edinburg, Alamo, and Mission.  Other crops, including leafy and in-ground vegetables did better.  Citrus escaped all but minor damage to remaining fruit on trees.  Dollar damages will be included in this report at a later date once they are received.

Frost/Freeze in COASTAL CAMERON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 03:30:00 to 23-DEC-22 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 3:30AM CST on December 23rd and remained below freezing until 10:15PM CST on December 23rd. The ASOS station at the Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport (KPIL) recorded a low of 28 degrees during this time. Several other stations also reported 28 degrees including the Water Level Observation Network (WLON) site at Port Isabel (PTIT2) and a personal weather station in Laguna Vista. Timing was based primarily on KPIL's data.
There was likely an unknown amount of damage to herbaceous crops, such as dill, cilantro, and parsley - mainly around the Bayview/east Los Fresnos area.  Leafy vegetables and cabbage fared better, and there were no reports of significant impacts to citrus (fruit) where grown in the county.  Details, when available, will be provided in this report at a later date.

Frost/Freeze in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-22 20:15:00 to 25-DEC-22 08:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 8:15PM CST on December 24th and did not rise above freezing until 8:35AM CST on December 25th. The Jim Hogg County Airport (KHBV) observed a low of 25 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 26-DEC-22 00:55:00 to 26-DEC-22 03:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 12:55AM CST on December 26th and did not rise above freezing until 3:55AM CST on December 26th. The Jim Hogg County Airport (KHBV) observed a low of 30 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in INLAND KENEDY COUNTY, TEXAS
From 22-DEC-22 23:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 13:33:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures fell below freezing around 11:00PM CST on December 22nd and did not rise above freezing until 1:33PM CST on December 24th, or a stretch of 38.5 hours. The mesonet site at the Union Pacific Railroad site (UR074) in central Kenedy County recorded a low of 23 degrees during the morning of December 23rd.

Frost/Freeze in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 02:15:00 to 23-DEC-22 23:53:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 2:15AM CST on December 23rd and remained below freezing until 11:53PM CST on December 23rd. The ASOS stations at the Valley International Airport (KHRL) and Brownsville/South Padre International Airport (KBRO) both recorded a low of 27 degrees during this time. Several other personal weather stations also recorded lows between 26 to 28 degrees during the day on December 23rd.
There was likely an unknown amount of damage to herbaceous crops, such as dill, cilantro, and parsley.  Leafy vegetables and cabbage fared better, and there were no reports of significant impacts to citrus (fruit) where grown in the county.  Details, when available, will be provided in this report at a later date.

Frost/Freeze in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 02:35:00 to 23-DEC-22 11:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 2:35AM CST on December 23rd and did not rise above freezing until 11:35AM CST on December 23rd. The Zapata County Airport (KAPY) observed a low of 29 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-22 05:55:00 to 24-DEC-22 08:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 5:55AM CST on December 24th and did not rise above freezing until 8:35AM CST on December 24th. The Zapata County Airport (KAPY) observed a low of 32 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in WILLACY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 00:11:00 to 24-DEC-22 14:04:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures fell below freezing around 12:11AM CST on December 23rd and did not rise above freezing until 2:04PM CST on December 24th, or a stretch of 38 hours. The mesonet site at the Union Pacific Railroad site (UR295) in northern Willacy County recorded a low of 24 degrees during the morning of December 23rd. Additional reports of subfreezing temperatures reported in southern Hidalgo and northern Cameron County support the duration of the freeze for all of inland Willacy County.
There was likely an unknown amount of damage to herbaceous crops, such as dill, cilantro, and parsley.  Leafy vegetables and cabbage fared better, and there were no reports of significant impacts to citrus (fruit) where grown in the county.  Details, when available, will be provided in this report at a later date.

Frost/Freeze in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-22 02:52:00 to 24-DEC-22 08:53:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 2:53AM CST on December 24th and remained below freezing until 8:53AM CST on December 24th. The ASOS stations at the Valley International Airport (KHRL) and Brownsville/South Padre International Airport (KBRO) both recorded a low of 30 degrees during this time. Several other personal weather stations also recorded lows between 29 to 31 degrees the morning of December 24th.

Frost/Freeze in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 22-DEC-22 23:55:00 to 23-DEC-22 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 11:55PM CST on December 22nd and did not rise above freezing until 7:55PM CST on December 23rd. The Brooks County Airport (KBKS) observed a low of 25 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-22 21:15:00 to 25-DEC-22 08:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 9:15PM CST on December 24th and did not rise above freezing until 8:55AM CST on December 25th. The Zapata County Airport (KAPY) observed a low of 21 degrees the morning of Christmas, which was the coldest report during this cold spell.

Frost/Freeze in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 25-DEC-22 21:55:00 to 26-DEC-22 04:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 9:55PM CST on December 25th and did not rise above freezing until 4:35AM CST on December 26th. The Zapata County Airport (KAPY) observed a low of 28 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in COASTAL KENEDY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 01:12:00 to 24-DEC-22 14:48:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Buoy

Temperatures fell below freezing around 1:12AM CST on December 23rd and did not rise above freezing until 2:48PM CST on December 24th, or a stretch of almost 38 hours. A low of 25 degrees was observed at the Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) site at Rincon del San Jose (RSJT2).

Frost/Freeze in KENEDY ISLAND, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 01:12:00 to 24-DEC-22 14:48:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Buoy

Temperatures fell below freezing around 1:12AM CST on December 23rd and did not rise above freezing until 2:48PM CST on December 24th, or a stretch of almost 38 hours.  These times are estimates based on observations in Inland Kenedy and Coastal Kenedy. A low of 25 degrees was observed at the Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) site at Rincon del San Jose (RSJT2).

Frost/Freeze in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 22:55:00 to 24-DEC-22 11:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 10:55PM CST on December 23rd and did not rise above freezing until 11:35AM CST on December 24th. The Brooks County Airport (KBKS) observed a low of 27 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-22 19:35:00 to 25-DEC-22 08:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Temperatures fell below freezing around 7:35PM CST on December 24th and did not rise above freezing until 8:15PM CST on December 25th. The Brooks County Airport (KBKS) observed a low of 26 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in STARR, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 01:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 10:10:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures fell below freezing around 1:00AM CST on December 23rd and did not rise above freezing until 10:10AM CST on December 24th, or a stretch of 33 hours. The Texas Mesonet site at the Texas Water Board site near La Gloria (TBW26) observed a low of 27 degrees during this stretch. The coldest observed low at Falcon Lake (FART2) was 29 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in STARR, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-22 18:50:00 to 25-DEC-22 02:50:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures fell below freezing around 6:50PM CST on December 24th and did not rise above freezing until 2:50AM CST on December 25th. The Texas Mesonet site at the Texas Water Board site near La Gloria (TBW26) observed a low of 23 degrees. The coldest observed low at Falcon Lake (FART2) was 29 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in COASTAL WILLACY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Buoy

Temperatures fell below freezing around 4:00AM CST on December 23rd and remained below freezing until 8:00PM CST. The Yturria Union Pacific Railroad mesonet site (UR295) in northern Willacy County recorded a minimum temperature of 23 degrees; the Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) site at Rincon del San Jose recorded a minimum temperature of 25 degrees; the TCOON site at Realitos recorded a minimum temperature of 27 degrees. Given low temperatures in the middle to upper 20s observed in adjacent Willacy County and Coastal Kenedy and Coastal Cameron County, it is implied that temperatures across much of Coastal Willacy County were also in the middle to upper 20s. Times are estimated.

Frost/Freeze in NORTHERN HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 01:46:00 to 24-DEC-22 08:46:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures fell below freezing around 1:46AM CST on December 23rd and did not rise above freezing until 8:46AM CST on December 24th, or a stretch of 31 hours. The Texas Mesonet site at Linn-San Manuel (LSRT2) observed a low of 28 degrees during this stretch.

Frost/Freeze in NORTHERN HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
From 25-DEC-22 20:46:00 to 26-DEC-22 01:46:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Temperatures fell below freezing around 8:46PM CST on December 25th and did not rise above freezing until 1:46AM CST on December 26th. The Texas Mesonet site at Linn-San Manuel (LSRT2) observed a low of 28 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in WILLACY ISLAND, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 04:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Buoy

Temperatures fell below freezing around 4:00AM CST on December 23rd and remained below freezing until 8:00PM CST. The Yturria Union Pacific Railroad mesonet site (UR295) in northern Willacy County recorded a minimum temperature of 23 degrees; the Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) site at Rincon del San Jose recorded a minimum temperature of 25 degrees; the TCOON site at Realitos recorded a minimum temperature of 27 degrees. Given low temperatures in the middle to upper 20s observed in adjacent Willacy County and Island Kenedy and Island Cameron County, it is implied that temperatures across much of Coastal Willacy County were also in the middle to upper 20s. Times are estimated.

Frost/Freeze in CAMERON ISLAND, TEXAS
From 23-DEC-22 08:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Buoy

Temperatures fell below freezing around 8:00AM CST on December 23rd and remained below freezing until 4:30PM CST. The Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) site at the South Padre Island Coast Guard Station recorded a minimum temperature of 29 degrees. According to Sea Turtle Inc., over 160 cold stunned sea turtles were rescued during this cold spell.  As of this writing, there were no known sea turtle losses.

Frost/Freeze in CAMERON ISLAND, TEXAS
From 24-DEC-22 07:24:00 to 24-DEC-22 10:12:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Buoy

Temperatures fell below freezing around 7:24AM CST on December 24th and remained below freezing until 10:12PM CST on December 24th. The Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) site at the South Padre Island Coast Guard Station recorded a minimum temperature of 32 degrees. According to Sea Turtle Inc., over 160 cold stunned sea turtles were rescued during this cold spell.