It will be a warm end to the week in Southern Colorado, but this time of the year the next big freeze is never far off.
Since the recent cold snap and hard freeze earlier this month, the National Weather Service will no longer issue Freeze Warnings for our area. It all has to do with the growing season, and agricultural reasons.
Greg Heavener, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pueblo said that once we have a hard freeze or a killing freeze like we did last week, which is typically 28 degrees or lower for three consecutive hours, then the growing season can be declared over. At this point, the NWS will no longer issue Freeze Warnings until the following spring at the start of next year's growing season.
The growing season typically runs from April through early to mid October. Heavener said that after a hard freeze the ground becomes to hard to be able to plant new crops and to maintain old ones.
With the cold season really just beginning, here's a few ways to prepare your car and home for the months ahead.
Swap out your tires for snow tires or all season tires for better tread.
Prepare a first-aid kit for your car. Leave extra coats, gloves and hats in there for you and your family so that you're never caught without it. Don't forget snacks and water too.
Consider insulating your pipes before the next freeze. During the freeze, leave cold water running from pipes and faucets.
Clear out your chimneys and furnaces to prevent fires and carbon monoxide build up.
Lastly, stock your house full of water and non-perishable goods. Doing this now could be a lifesaver during the next major winter storm.
