FrostList

Frozen Pipe Protection: Local Deadlines by City

Protect your pipes once overnight lows start reaching the low 20s — the season begins earlier in some cities than others, so check your local first-freeze date below. On a night at or below about 20°F, let faucets drip, open cabinets on exterior walls, and make sure hoses are disconnected. Our dates come from NOAA 1991–2020 normals; the temperature guidance paraphrases the American Red Cross and consumer sources.

Deadlines for the largest cities

CityStateLocal deadline
New YorkNYNov 6View →
Los AngelesCADec 18View →
ChicagoILOct 24View →
HoustonTXNov 27View →
PhiladelphiaPANov 4View →
PhoenixAZDec 18View →
San AntonioTXNov 7View →
DallasTXNov 10View →
San JoseCADec 4View →
AustinTXNov 1View →
IndianapolisINOct 7View →
JacksonvilleFLDec 3View →
San FranciscoCANov 26View →
ColumbusOHOct 13View →
CharlotteNCOct 22View →
Fort WorthTXNov 3View →
DetroitMIOct 17View →
El PasoTXNov 6View →
MemphisTNNov 2View →
SeattleWANov 1View →
DenverCOSep 28View →
WashingtonDCOct 26View →
BostonMAOct 29View →
NashvilleTNOct 18View →
BaltimoreMDNov 7View →
Oklahoma CityOKOct 21View →
LouisvilleKYOct 31View →
PortlandORNov 10View →
Las VegasNVNov 24View →
MilwaukeeWIOct 7View →
AlbuquerqueNMOct 21View →
TucsonAZNov 28View →
FresnoCANov 29View →
SacramentoCANov 28View →
Long BeachCADec 3View →
Kansas CityMOOct 21View →
MesaAZNov 18View →
Virginia BeachVANov 1View →
AtlantaGAOct 27View →
Colorado SpringsCOSep 26View →
OmahaNEOct 6View →
RaleighNCOct 28View →
OaklandCADec 10View →
MinneapolisMNOct 2View →
TulsaOKOct 20View →
ClevelandOHNov 1View →
WichitaKSOct 15View →
ArlingtonTXOct 31View →
New OrleansLADec 1View →
BakersfieldCANov 23View →

Find every covered city for your state in the list below.

Which pipes freeze first, and why

Exposed pipes lose heat fastest: hose bibs, and lines in unheated garages, crawl spaces, attics, and against exterior walls. Wind lowers the effective temperature, so a breezy night in the mid-20s can be as risky as a still night in the low 20s. That is why disconnecting hoses and opening cabinet doors are two of the highest-value, lowest-cost steps.

Dripping a faucet relieves pressure and keeps water moving, which slows freezing. It does not guarantee a pipe stays clear, but it meaningfully lowers the risk on the coldest nights.

If you leave town

Keep the thermostat no lower than 55°F, leave cabinet doors open on exterior walls, and ask someone to check the house during a cold snap. A leak sensor near at-risk plumbing can alert you before a small problem becomes a flooded floor. Insurers often cover sudden pipe damage but may push back if a home was left unheated.

How we set the season

We mark the start of pipe-risk season from each station's probability date for the first fall minimum at or below 32°F, then flag colder nights against the live 10-day outlook on each city page. The action threshold of roughly 20°F follows widely published guidance, paraphrased on our methodology page.

Find your state

Alabama

12 cities · deadlines from Oct 22–Nov 15

Alaska

2 cities · deadlines from Sep 17–Oct 5

Arizona

23 cities · deadlines from Sep 16–Dec 18

Arkansas

10 cities · deadlines from Oct 13–Oct 31

California

210 cities · deadlines from Oct 17–Dec 23

Colorado

21 cities · deadlines from Sep 15–Oct 11

Connecticut

15 cities · deadlines from Oct 4–Oct 25

Delaware

2 cities · deadlines from Oct 21–Oct 23

District of Columbia

1 cities · deadlines from Oct 26–Oct 26

Florida

54 cities · deadlines from Jan 1–Dec 31

Georgia

18 cities · deadlines from Oct 26–Nov 15

Idaho

9 cities · deadlines from Sep 17–Oct 5

Illinois

52 cities · deadlines from Sep 29–Oct 24

Indiana

21 cities · deadlines from Oct 4–Oct 31

Iowa

13 cities · deadlines from Sep 23–Oct 7

Kansas

11 cities · deadlines from Oct 1–Oct 21

Kentucky

6 cities · deadlines from Oct 12–Oct 31

Louisiana

9 cities · deadlines from Nov 1–Dec 1

Maine

2 cities · deadlines from Oct 2–Oct 2

Maryland

7 cities · deadlines from Oct 7–Nov 7

Massachusetts

36 cities · deadlines from Sep 23–Oct 29

Michigan

31 cities · deadlines from Sep 26–Oct 17

Minnesota

25 cities · deadlines from Sep 16–Oct 2

Mississippi

6 cities · deadlines from Oct 29–Nov 18

Missouri

16 cities · deadlines from Sep 30–Oct 24

Montana

5 cities · deadlines from Sep 5–Sep 19

Nebraska

4 cities · deadlines from Sep 29–Oct 6

Nevada

6 cities · deadlines from Sep 24–Nov 28

New Hampshire

3 cities · deadlines from Sep 21–Sep 30

New Jersey

22 cities · deadlines from Oct 11–Nov 6

New Mexico

7 cities · deadlines from Sep 25–Oct 30

New York

17 cities · deadlines from Sep 28–Nov 6

North Carolina

22 cities · deadlines from Oct 17–Nov 5

North Dakota

4 cities · deadlines from Sep 16–Sep 22

Ohio

33 cities · deadlines from Sep 30–Nov 1

Oklahoma

11 cities · deadlines from Oct 16–Oct 22

Oregon

14 cities · deadlines from Sep 3–Nov 11

Pennsylvania

13 cities · deadlines from Oct 4–Nov 4

Rhode Island

6 cities · deadlines from Oct 5–Oct 16

South Carolina

12 cities · deadlines from Oct 17–Dec 2

South Dakota

3 cities · deadlines from Sep 20–Sep 28

Tennessee

17 cities · deadlines from Oct 8–Nov 2

Texas

83 cities · deadlines from Oct 16–Dec 13

Utah

19 cities · deadlines from Sep 18–Oct 27

Vermont

2 cities · deadlines from Sep 28–Oct 2

Virginia

17 cities · deadlines from Oct 6–Nov 4

Washington

28 cities · deadlines from Sep 23–Nov 6

West Virginia

2 cities · deadlines from Oct 13–Oct 16

Wisconsin

20 cities · deadlines from Sep 21–Oct 11

Wyoming

2 cities · deadlines from Sep 14–Sep 17

Frequently asked questions

At what temperature do pipes freeze?
Many guides use about 20°F as the point to take action, though exposed or poorly insulated pipes freeze sooner. Wind lowers the effective temperature, so a windy night in the mid-20s can be as risky as a still night in the low 20s.
Should I drip my faucets?
On nights forecast at or below roughly 20°F, a thin stream from the faucet farthest along the line relieves pressure and keeps water moving. It lowers risk but is not a guarantee.
Which pipes are most at risk?
Hose bibs and pipes in unheated garages, crawl spaces, attics, and along exterior walls. Pipes under sinks on outside walls are common trouble spots.
How do I protect pipes on a cold night?
Disconnect hoses, open cabinet doors on exterior walls, let vulnerable faucets drip, and keep the heat on. Insulation and heat cable help the most exposed runs.
What if I travel in winter?
Keep the thermostat at 55°F or higher, open cabinet doors, and have someone check the house. A leak sensor can alert you early.
Does insurance cover burst pipes?
Sudden, accidental water damage is often covered, but claims can be denied if the home was left unheated. Coverage varies by policy.
How long until a pipe freezes?
It depends on location, insulation, and how far below freezing the air drops — anywhere from a few hours for an exposed pipe in a hard cold snap to never for a protected interior run.
Where is my main shutoff?
Find it before you need it, usually where the water line enters the house or near the meter. A fast shutoff limits damage if a line lets go.

Data: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals; live outlook by Open-Meteo. Last updated: July 11, 2026.