Freeze warnings issued for Maricopa, Pinal, Pima counties

Staff reports
Updated ·2 min read

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for the Phoenix area that runs through 9 a.m. Jan. 12. Temperatures were expected to be in the upper 20s to lower 30s.

A hard freeze warning also was issued through 9 a.m. Jan. 12 for other parts of Maricopa County and Pinal County, including Aguila Valley, Superior, northwest Pinal County, Tonto Basin, San Carlos and Globe/Miami. Temperatures were expected to be in the mid-20s.

Another hard freeze warning was issued through 10 a.m. Jan. 12 for southeast Pinal County, including Kearny, Mammoth and Oracle; the Tohono O'odham Nation; south-central Pinal County; and Pima County, including the Tucson area, Green Valley, Marana and Vail. Subfreezing temperatures as low as 26 were expected.

For the latest watches and warnings, see our weather alert page.

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How to protect plants

When temperatures freeze, there is a possibility that exposed plants can be damaged.

The National Weather Service recommends:

Bringing sensitive plants indoors.

Covering outdoor plants with different materials, such as frost cloth, blankets, towels, cardboard boxes, liquid frost protection and Styrofoam cups on cactus.

How to keep pipes from bursting

When temperatures drop to freezing conditions, pipes have the potential to burst because of expansion of water. Burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during freezing weather, according to Consumer Reports.

According to the American Red Cross and the weather service, here is how to prepare:

If there are water supply lines in the garage, keep your garage doors closed.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate closer to the plumbing.

Let cold water drip from the faucet connected to pipes that are exposed outdoors or in unheated interior areas.

Cover exposed pipes.

This article was generated by The Arizona Republic and USA TODAY Network using data released by the National Weather Service. It was edited by a staff member.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Freeze warnings issued for Maricopa, Pinal, Pima counties