The first widespread frost of the season is expected in North Texas overnight, according to the National Weather Service in Dallas/Fort Worth.

The frost watch is in effect from midnight tonight until 9 a.m. Friday, according to the department, in the following counties north of Dallas: Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Young, Jack, Montague, Cooke, Grayson , Fannin, Lamar, Delta. , Hopkins and Rains counties.

Subzero temperatures could reach 29 degrees, the service warned. Freezing and freezing conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

The National Weather Service recommends taking steps to protect tender plants from the cold and keep pets indoors as much as possible.

Thanksgiving Day will see cooler temperatures, the service reports, behind a strong cold front that passed through the region yesterday. Winds will continue at around 10 to 15 mph Thursday, reducing to 5 to 10 mph overnight. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 50s across most of the region, with overnight lows between 30 and 30 degrees, according to the weather service.

This weekend and early next week, the cool air will remain in place, according to the weather service, with another cold front arriving late Saturday. Areas along the Red River will likely experience a light frost Sunday and Monday morning.

THE average first frost hits North Texas on November 22, and the region records 29 days with freezing temperatures on average.

Open warming shelters

Cold weather shelters will open as cool weather arrives. Arlington’s cold weather emergency homeless shelter plan is activated on days when temperatures reach 39 degrees or lower for four or more consecutive hours overnight, according to the city’s website. At 325 W. Division Street, the Arlington Life Shelter welcomes guests from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at 817-548-9885 ext. 3312. Identification is required and meals are provided.

The Salvation Army, located at 712 W. Abram Street in Arlington, welcomes guests from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and also serves meals. All Arlington Library locations are open for warming during standard operating hours.

Denton Heating Stations open when temperatures are expected to drop below 32 degrees, including at the Denton Community Shelter operated by Our Daily Bread at 909 N. Loop 288 and the Denton Salvation Army at 1508 E. McKinney Street.

In Fort Worthindividuals can go to the Presbyterian Night Shelter at 2400 Cypress Street or the Union Gospel Mission at 1321 E. Lancaster Avenue. Families, which include at least one parent and one child, can visit the Salvation Army at 1855 E. Lancaster Avenue.

In Collin County, the Plano Corps Community Center’s nightly warming center opens at 3528 14th Street when the temperature is 35 degrees or less with a 20 percent chance of precipitation or when a steady-state temperature of 32 degrees or less is planned, according to The Salvation Army website. The McKinney Corps Community Center’s nightly warming center opens at 600 Wilson Creek Parkway when temperatures drop to 37 degrees or lower.