Several East Texas counties are impacted by a freeze warning. (NWS/Contributed Photo)

Frigid temperatures continue for East Texas before a slight warm-up comes later in the week.

Tuesday’s high was not expected to reach above the mid-to-high thirties in most of East Texas and freezing temperatures will return Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service of Shrevrport. Tyler will see a low of about 22 degrees tonight, while the temperature in Longview will drop to 18 degrees. Cherokee, Rusk, Harrison and Panola counties will also see temperatures drop into the teens tonight.

A freeze warning will be in effect from midnight Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday due to sub-freezing temperatures as low as 12 degrees expected for the region. Counties impacted by the warning include Red River, Bowie, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cass, Wood, Upshur, Marion, Smith, Gregg, Harrison, Cherokee, Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches, Shelby, Angelina, San Augustine, and Sabine. 

Prolonged exposure to these wind chill values can lead to hypothermia, NWS said. People should use caution while traveling outside and wear appropriate clothing. 

Frost and freezing conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, NWS advises. These conditions could also damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

NWS reminds residents to protect the four Ps: people, pets, pipes and plants. People should minimize time outdoors, prepare for possible power outages, and check on elderly and other vulnerable people. Pets should be kept warm, dry and indoors as much as possible and owners should ensure their pets’ food and water bowls aren’t frozen. Protect your pipes by insulating them; open up sink cabinets to expose pipes to heated air; leave faucets dripping and disconnect hoses and turn off water to sprinklers. Know your plants’ temperature thresholds and cover them if possible.

Very light snow and flurries fell in some areas of East Texas, mostly south of Interstate 20, Monday night and into Tuesday morning. Accumulation was not likely, NWS said.

Temperatures will begin to warm up Wednesday and get slightly higher as the week goes on. Wednesday’s high is expected to be about 47 degrees, while the low will still linger in the 20s around 21 degrees. Thursday’s high is forecast to be 50 degrees with a low that night of 27. By Friday and Saturday, temperatures will hover around the mid-50s with lows in the high 20s to low 30s. 

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Sunday. Temperatures will be above freezing in the high 40s and low 50s, according to CBS19.