FrostList

When to Winterize Your RV in Shreveport, LA

ON TRACK152 days until first 28°F freezeDec 10

Shreveport's deadline to winterize your RV is November 30: the local first 28°F freeze runs December 10 on average and November 17 at its earliest (1991–2020 normals). The early-to-late range spans roughly 51 days, so treat the median as a midpoint, not a promise.

OUTLOOK

Typical first first 28°F freeze near Dec 10; local deadline about Nov 30. The live 10-day outlook loads here.

Local freeze dates for Shreveport

ThresholdEarly (1-in-10)MedianLate (9-in-10)
32°F (light freeze)Nov 7Nov 24Dec 14
28°F (hard freeze)Nov 17Dec 10Jan 7
24°F (severe)Dec 3Jan 2Feb 1

NOAA station: Shreveport Dwtn AP · 1.3 mi away · 179 ft elevation.

The reference station for Shreveport is Shreveport Dwtn AP (1.3 mi, 179 ft). First freeze there: 32°F by Nov 24, 28°F by Dec 10, 24°F by Jan 2. Year to year the 28°F date has ranged from Nov 17 to Jan 7 — about 51 days apart. Spring's last 32°F freeze clears around Feb 28. Snowfall averages 1 inches a year.

Expect the first frost near Nov 24 in Shreveport and the first hard freeze by about Dec 10. The 32°F date swings from Nov 7 at its earliest to Dec 14 at its latest, near 37 days. The last spring freeze averages Feb 28 and as late as Mar 19, which sets the safe window for reopening outdoor water and de-winterizing gear. Snow barely registers here; the freeze date, around Feb 28, is the one that matters.

Your rv checklist

  1. Drain the fresh, gray, and black tanks, then drain the water heater only after it has cooled and lost pressure.
  2. Bypass the water heater so you do not waste six gallons of antifreeze filling the tank.
  3. Blow out the lines with a compressor at about 30–40 psi, then pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through every faucet until it runs pink.
    Helpful gear: RV antifreeze (6-pack) — Recommended pick
  4. Use a water-pump converter kit to draw antifreeze straight from the jug through the plumbing.
    Helpful gear: Water pump converter kit — Recommended pick
  5. Pour a cup of antifreeze into each drain trap and the toilet to protect the seals.
  6. Fit a blow-out plug at the city-water inlet so you can clear that line too.
    Helpful gear: Blow-out plug — Recommended pick
  7. Remove batteries or put them on a maintainer, and store them off a cold concrete floor.
  8. Cover roof vents, close the propane, and set out traps or deterrents so mice do not move in.

What to have on hand

RV antifreeze (6-pack)
Non-toxic pink fluid for the fresh-water plumbing and traps.
Recommended pick
Water pump converter kit
Siphon kit that draws antifreeze straight through the pump.
Recommended pick
Blow-out plug
Adapter that lets a compressor clear the lines before antifreeze.
Recommended pick
Heated fresh-water hose
For anyone staying hooked up through a cold snap.
Recommended pick

What this means locally

Compared with nearby cities, Shreveport's first-freeze date near Dec 10 sits close to Bossier City (Dec 10) and later than Longview (Dec 5). Louisiana's deadlines span Nov 19 to Dec 29 statewide — one date for all of Louisiana would be off by weeks for Shreveport. Once you know Shreveport's freeze date, use it to shut down your sprinklers and winterize a boat too.

Other winter jobs in Shreveport

Every task below is dated to Shreveport's own freeze and snow normals.

Sprinklers → Nov 30Frozen pipes → Nov 7Car battery → Dec 10Sump pump → Feb 28Boat → Dec 3Motorcycle → Nov 24

See the full Shreveport winter checklist, in order →

Frequently asked questions

At what temperature do RV pipes freeze?
An RV's exposed plumbing and thin-walled tanks can begin to freeze once temperatures sit in the mid-20s for a few hours, sooner than a house because there is little insulation around the lines. That is why the winterizing deadline tracks the first 28°F freeze rather than the first light frost.
How much RV antifreeze do I need?
Most travel trailers and motorhomes take about two to three gallons of non-toxic RV antifreeze, and larger rigs more. Bypassing the water heater saves roughly six gallons you would otherwise waste filling the tank. Buy an extra jug; stores sell out once the first freeze warnings hit.
Can I just use my RV furnace instead of winterizing?
Relying on the furnace is risky. A propane run-out, a tripped breaker, or a dead battery during a cold night leaves the plumbing unprotected, and the furnace may not keep the underbelly and bays warm enough anyway. Draining and adding antifreeze is the dependable way to protect the system.
How do I winterize an RV water heater?
Let the tank cool and lose pressure, then drain it and, if fitted, pull the anode rod. Do not add antifreeze to the water heater tank; instead, set the bypass valves so antifreeze skips the tank and fills only the lines. Fresh antifreeze in an unbypassed heater just wastes several gallons.
When is it safe to de-winterize an RV in Shreveport?
Wait until the last spring freeze has passed, which averages near Feb 28 here. De-winterize by flushing the antifreeze from the lines, sanitizing the fresh tank, and checking for leaks before a trip. Reopening too early risks a surprise late freeze on a charged system.
Do I need to winterize an RV stored indoors?
A reliably heated indoor space that stays above freezing protects the plumbing, so full winterizing may not be needed. But an unheated garage or barn can still drop below freezing on a cold night. If you cannot guarantee the space stays warm, winterize to be safe.

Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals via Shreveport Dwtn AP, live outlook by Open-Meteo. Sources · Methodology. Last updated: July 11, 2026.