Freeze warnings in effect across southern Arizona, southeastern California, and southern Nevada
Freeze warnings remain in effect across much of southern Arizona, southeastern California, and southern Nevada through the morning of Saturday, January 10, 2026. Temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing across several valleys and desert regions, including the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas, the Las Vegas Valley, and the Upper Gila River and San Pedro valleys. The National Weather Service warns that these conditions could kill crops, damage sensitive vegetation, and affect exposed plumbing.
Image credit: Harris County
Freeze warnings remain in effect across much of southern Arizona, southeastern California, and southern Nevada through Saturday morning.
Temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing across several valleys and desert regions, including the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas, the Las Vegas Valley, and the Upper Gila River and San Pedro valleys. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that these conditions could kill crops, damage sensitive vegetation, and affect exposed plumbing.
NWS issued multiple freeze warnings across the southwestern United States, extending through 09:00 MST on Saturday, January 10. Sub-freezing conditions are expected to impact wide areas of Arizona, southern Nevada, and southeastern California.
A Freeze Warning will be in effect for much of southern Arizona at 04:48 MST on Friday, January 9, and will remain in effect until 09:00 MST on Saturday.
Temperatures are expected to drop to between −1 and −4°C (30–25°F) in the Tucson metro area, the Upper Santa Cruz River Valley, and portions of Pinal County. The warning covers the Tohono O’odham Nation, Sells, Marana, Nogales, Green Valley, Oracle, and Vail. The NWS advised residents to protect crops, outdoor plumbing, and other cold-sensitive materials.
Further east, the Freeze Warning for the Upper San Pedro River Valley, Eastern Cochise County, and Upper Gila River Valley was issued at the same time by the Tucson office. It also remains in effect through 09:00 MST on Saturday.
Forecast lows range from −2 to −8°C (28 to 18°F), with the coldest conditions expected in valleys near Benson, Sierra Vista, Safford, Willcox, and Douglas. Frost development and localized ice may occur on exposed surfaces early Saturday morning.
In the Phoenix forecast area, multiple overlapping warnings remain in effect from midnight Friday night to 09:00 MST (16:00 UTC) Saturday, January 10. The Freeze Warnings, issued at 23:56 PST Thursday, include the Tonto Basin, Globe Miami region, San Carlos, Superior, Aguila Valley, and surrounding zones. Minimum temperatures between −2 and −5°C (28–23°F) are forecast, particularly in sheltered valleys and basins where radiational cooling is strongest.
The Las Vegas Valley is under a freeze warning issued in effect from 02:00 to 08:00 PST on Saturday. Temperatures are expected to fall to near −2°C (28°F), marking the first sub-freezing event of the season for the region, which includes Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City.
Across southeastern California, Freeze Warnings remain in effect for western Joshua Tree National Park, Palo Verde Valley, and Parker Valley, accompanied in some areas by Wind Advisories.
These warnings are valid from 23:00 PST on Friday until 08:00 PST on Saturday. North winds between 40–65 km/h (25 and 40 mph) with gusts up to 90 km/h (55 mph) are expected to produce difficult travel conditions and enhance radiational cooling overnight. Minimum temperatures are forecast in the range of −2 to 0°C (28–32°F).
Residents across all affected areas are urged to take precautions to prevent damage to crops, sensitive vegetation, and unprotected plumbing.
The NWS advised residents to cover plants, insulate exposed pipes, and allow indoor faucets to drip slowly to reduce the risk of freezing. Those in wind advisory zones should also secure outdoor objects and exercise caution when driving high-profile vehicles.
References:
1 Freeze Warning – NWS – January 9, 2026
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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