National Weather ServiceFreeze WatchVTEC FZ.A, HZ.AArchive to October 1, 2026
Freeze Watch: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 265 freeze watches in 2025 and 284 a year on average in 2008-2025; California, Georgia and Florida got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 194, 30% above the average of 149 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a freeze watch?
A freeze watch means temperatures at or below 32°F are possible during the growing season. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. AreaZine's counts include the hard freeze watches issued before the change.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many freeze watches a year?
National count: each freeze watch counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 194 |
| 2025 | 265 |
| 2024 | 254 |
| 2023 | 348 |
| 2022 | 342 |
| 2021 | 274 |
| 2020 | 262 |
| 2019 | 226 |
| 2018 | 267 |
| 2017 | 188 |
| 2016 | 269 |
| 2015 | 238 |
| 2014 | 334 |
| 2013 | 308 |
| 2012 | 359 |
| 2011 | 246 |
| 2010 | 421 |
| 2009 | 278 |
| 2008 | 236 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Which states get the most freeze watches?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A freeze watch covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 40 | 33 | 17 |
| Georgia | 32 | 31 | 41 |
| Florida | 28 | 45 | 36 |
| Texas | 25 | 22 | 29 |
| North Carolina | 20 | 19 | 13 |
| Alabama | 16 | 17 | 12 |
| Virginia | 16 | 14 | 11 |
| Colorado | 15 | 15 | 16 |
| West Virginia | 14 | 12 | 12 |
| Kansas | 13 | 11 | 16 |
| Oregon | 13 | 14 | 10 |
| Mississippi | 12 | 12 | 4 |
| Pennsylvania | 12 | 12 | 5 |
| Arkansas | 12 | 10 | 7 |
| Ohio | 12 | 10 | 7 |
| Arizona | 11 | 10 | 8 |
| South Carolina | 11 | 11 | 6 |
| Missouri | 11 | 8 | 12 |
| Kentucky | 11 | 10 | 13 |
| Louisiana | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Utah | 10 | 7 | 10 |
| Indiana | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| New York | 9 | 9 | 11 |
| Tennessee | 8 | 9 | 0 |
| Illinois | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| New Mexico | 7 | 7 | 11 |
| Maryland | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| New Jersey | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Nebraska | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Wyoming | 5 | 3 | 7 |
| Connecticut | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Washington | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Iowa | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| North Dakota | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Michigan | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Nevada | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Idaho | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Minnesota | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| South Dakota | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Maine | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Delaware | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Vermont | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Montana | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alaska | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Freeze Watch or freeze warning?
A freeze watch (for a wide area, hours or days ahead) means the conditions are possible: be ready; a freeze warning (from the local NWS office, for the area at risk) means the hazard is happening or imminent: act now. A freeze warning means temperatures at or below 32°F are expected during the growing season, enough to kill crops and sensitive plants. Since 2024-2025 it also covers the colder nights that had a hard freeze warning of their own. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The NWS issued 477 freeze warnings in 2025, against 265 freeze watches. The freeze warning record.