North Texas braces for first freeze in 11 months

North Texas will have its first freeze of the season overnight into Friday, with temperatures dropping into the low 20s in some areas.

The overnight freeze will be the first in the area in 11 months. The last freeze was in January.

The major counties will likely have temperatures in the mid-20s, while some outlying counties will be in the low 20s. Wind chills will be in the teens in some parts of the area as Christmas-like weather continues in North Texas.

A few snowflakes fell in parts of North Texas on Thursday morning, but were hard to see and didn’t stick to the ground.

For those who have nowhere to sleep, five of the major Dallas homeless shelters are coordinating under the ‘shelter collaborative’ to take on an increase in people needing a warm place to sleep.

Bob Sweeney with the Dallas Life Foundation says Dallas-area shelters are mobilizing their inclement weather plan to open up overflow areas,

“When it's below 40, everyone works together to get everybody off the street that's willing to come,” he said.

Dallas Life typically takes in 360 people a night. But on cold weather nights, that number usually reaches 400 or more.

“Even those that run at capacity have an overflow or a mat night where they can put people on pads or they would call another shelter to make sure there's always an option for that person,” Sweeney said.

On extremely cold nights, area shelters under shelter collaborative will not turn anyone away and are accepting people 24/7.

Any unprotected sensitive outdoor plants or vegetation may be damaged or killed. Also, ensure that outdoor pets are tended to and can be kept warm through the overnight hours. Any exposed pipes should also be covered.

Temperatures dipping into the 30s didn't stop crowds from enjoying the Parade of Lights in Grapevine Thursday night.

Moncy Nabors and her family have made the annual event a family tradition. This year, they came prepared.

“I've got a TCU blanket. I've got a scarf loaned to me, gloves loaned to me by people at work and just adrenaline,” she said.

There was no escaping the winter chill either for parents at a junior varsity soccer game in Plano.

As day turned to night, the John Paul the Second and Bishop Lynch varsity soccer teams faced off. Cold spectators found warmth in numbers and bundled up close to one another.

“This is kind of typical for our soccer season,” said spectator Karina Glenn. “You're always going to have games like this.”

According to the athletic director for John Paul the Second, private school guidelines say the game can go on as long as the temperature stays above 32 degrees. Even if it dips below, the match can continue as long as the coaches for both teams agree.

And it seems as long as you keep moving or you're very young, you’ll be okay.