Both Soccer and Basketball Teams in Action for Tuesday Game Day
For the second straight day, four teams are in action for Tuesday game day.
Tuesday, Feb. 8 brings both basketball teams and both soccer squads in district play.
The first team up on Tuesday is Lady Cats basketball, finishing out their season on the road in Longview.
Last night the women’s basketball team hosted Senior Night, originally scheduled for last Friday, and fell to Hallsville 53-9 on Monday, Feb. 7.
Coach Delley’s squad finishes up their winter 2021-22 season on the road today in Longview.
That game tips off with the Lady Lobos on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 6:15 P.M.
Moving over to the men’s team, Coach Brandon Shaver’s Wildcats host Longview on this Tuesday game day.
Men’s basketball beat Hallsville at Bobcat Coliseum last Saturday, which put the Wildcats in the drivers seat for winning a district crown.
If Sulphur Springs beats Longview and Mount Pleasant this week at home, and follows those victories up with a win next Tuesday at Texas High, men’s basketball will finish as undisputed district champs.
The first victory of three they need to earn the No. 1 seed comes against Longview at home on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
That game tips off in the SSHS Main Gym at 7 P.M.
Moving over to soccer, both squads take on Marshall.
Lady Cats soccer are back at home on this Tuesday game day hosting the Lady Mavs.
Coach Javier Aguayo’s squad look to get their first district win on Tuesday at Gerald Prim Stadium after starting district play 0-3.
Women’s soccer has an excellent chance to do that Tuesday, Feb. 8 as they host Marshall.
The Lady Mavs come in to Tuesday’s district match-up sporting an 0-2 record and look to get their first win in district play as well.
That game kicks off at the Prim on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 7:15 P.M.
Men’s soccer also take on the Mavericks, but in Marshall on this Tuesday game day.
Coach Alexi Upton’s squad beat Texas High 6-0 last Saturday to get their first win in district play, now sitting at fourth at 1-2.
The win over the Tigers over the weekend saw five different Wildcats score, including three more who assisted on goals.
If Sulphur Springs wishes to improve their standing in District 15-5A they will need to extend their win streak to two by beating Marshall (0-1-1) at Maverick Stadium.
That game kicks off in Marshall at 7:15 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Basketball Loses to Hallsville on Senior Night
Senior night did not go as planned on Monday, Feb. 7 for women’s basketball.
The Lady Cats struggled to put buckets in, combined with a good press from Hallsville and Sulphur Springs fell to the visiting Lady Cats 53-9 on Monday, Feb. 7 in the SSHS Main Gym.
“It didn’t go the way we wanted,” Coach Erica Delley said after the loss. “But I’m proud of my seniors, I’m proud that they stuck out with it,” the Lady Cats coach said.
Women’s basketball could only put up five points in the first quarter as Hallsville stormed out to a huge 20-5 lead heading in to the second.
Senior Jasmine Taylor, one of two seniors honored Monday night, hit her only shot of the game when she put it in from downtown. Myssiah Dugan was the other senior honored before the loss to Hallsville.
The Lady Cats could only score four more points in the next three quarters as the fourth-placed Lady Cats defeated Sulphur Springs 53-9 on Monday, Feb. 7.
“I wish we would’ve went out with a win,” Coach Delley said, “but we’ll get another chance tomorrow.”
The loss to Hallsville drops women’s basketball’s season record to 4-26 (2-9 district). Women’s basketball close out their winter 2021-22 season on the road Tuesday, Feb. 8 in Longview.
The season-closing contest it scheduled to tip off with the Lady Lobos at 6:15 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Harrison Files Candidacy For Place 4 On May 7 Sulphur Springs City Council Election Ballot
Tommy Wayne Harrison filed an application Tuesday morning, Feb. 8, 2022 for a place on the May 7 Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot. Harrison, a retired resident, is seeking election Place 4 on the Sulphur Springs City Council.
So far, Harrison is only the second person who has filed candidacy for the May 7 Election for Places 4 and 5 on the city Council. Currently, Freddie Taylor services in Place 4 on the council. At the Feb. 1 City Council meeting, Taylor had yet to decide whether or not he will seek another term in office.
Incumbent Gary Spraggins filed an application on Jan. 20 for a place on the May 7 Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot. Spraggins, a salesman, is seeking reelection to Place 5.
Spraggins in the Nov. 3, 2020 election, received 71.24 percent of the votes for the Place 5 seat for one year. Then, in 2021, he was elected to the final year of the unexpired term for Place 5.
Candidate filing for both three-year term seats on the May 7 City Council Election ballot will continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, through Feb. 18, at Sulphur Springs Municipal Building (City Hall), 201 North Davis St. Mail applications for a place on the ballot may be mailed to City Secretary/Elections Officer Natalie Darrow at 125 South Davis St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482; or emailed to [email protected]
To be eligible to run for a seat on the City Council, the prospective candidate must be a qualified voter of the State of Texas, have resided continuously in the State of Texas and the City of Sulphur Springs for 12 months immediately preceding the deadline for filing an application for a place on the ballot.
Other qualifications include:
- Must be a citizen of the United States eligible to hold such office under the constitution
and laws of this state; - Must not be mentally incompetent as determined by a court;
- Must not be convicted of a felony for which he/she has not been pardoned or had full rights of citizenship restored by other official action;
- Must be 18 years of age or older on the commencement of the term to be filled;
- Must not hold any other public office in which he/she was elected for and/or be a member of a board directly appointed by the City Council on the commencement of the term to be filled;
- City taxes must be paid and current; and
- Have knowledge of the nepotism law summary.
Coronary Calcium Screening Available For Flat Rate
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, [email protected]
In honor of American Heart Month – the month of February – we encourage you to check on your heart!
For a flat rate of $75, you can have a Coronary Calcium Screening. To see if you require a referral and/or to schedule, call our team at 903.438.4543. It could save your life.
Carter BloodCare
Carter BloodCare bus will parked in the hospital’s front parking lot for local blood donations on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 9 a.m. until 2 .p.m. As a thank you, all donors will receive a stainless steel water bottle while supplies last. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, contact Patricia Wilson at 903.438.4380 or call/text 800.366.2834.
COVID Testing at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinics | Urgent Care
Due to a shortage of COVID testing supplies, we unfortunately cannot guarantee that rapid tests will be available. If rapid tests are not available, we will be able to send out a COVID PCR test, which typically results in 2 days, but could take up to 7 days if testing volume is high. We are working diligently to obtain additional supplies and appreciate your understanding; please know that we remain dedicated to providing you with the very best care possible.
Thank you for your respect and consideration!
With a spike in COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County, we appreciate anyone who has made an appointment with a provider at one of our clinic locations kindly cancelling within 4 hours of their scheduled time to allow the visit slot to be filled with someone else who may need it. Thank you in advance for allowing us to provide for your healthcare needs, while extending grace to our staff.
UPDATED – COVID Vaccine Clinics
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs offers a COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the main lobby of the hospital until further notice. The available vaccines include Moderna (2-doses, ages 18 and older) and Pfizer (2-doses, ages 12 and older) and Johnson & Johnson (1-dose, ages 18 and older).
***This includes all three brands of boosters for fully vaccinated people. Appointments not required, but parent/guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will be partnering with Northeast Texas Public Health District to provide COVID vaccinations for children ages 5 through 11.
The vaccine clinic will be held in the MMU tent located in the parking lot north of the hospital (between Dr. Arnecke and Podiatry offices) from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. every day this week (week of February 7). The second vaccine in the series will be available 4 weeks later during the week of March 7 at the same time from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Adult vaccinations, both Moderna and Pfizer, will also be offered during the same time and location of the pediatric vaccinations. There is no cost to receive the vaccine and no appointment required.
Please note, the hospital will still offer the weekly adult COVID vaccine clinic on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m., but if a child needs a vaccine, the attending adult will have the opportunity to receive one at the MMU tent location.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are acceptable. Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth. Visitors must remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- An adult must accompany minor-age visitors, be free of symptoms, and able to comply with masking and hygiene expectations throughout the visit.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors:
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only;
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person for the duration of hospital stay – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band for identification purposes;
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only;
- All other patients may have 1 Essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time)
- Types of Visitors:
New Staff
Family Nurse Practitioner
CHRISTUS Trinity Primary Care Clinic is excited to welcome Madison Orwosky, Family Nurse Practitioner, to our team of Family Medicine providers. Madison, “Maddie” will be accepting new patients at 105 Medical Circle [Medical Building 1], beginning on Monday, February 14, 2022. To schedule an appointment, please call 903.885.3181.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care – Sulphur Springs
PLEASE NOTE – due to limited staffing, the Urgent Care may be forced to change its hours without notice. We recommend calling prior to your arrival to check the status of availability. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The CHRISTUS Urgent Care Hours of Operation is as follows:
- In-Person Care Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, Closed
- Virtual Visit Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- To schedule a virtual visit, please visit urgentcare.christushealth.org, then select your location and click “Virtual Visit”
The Urgent Care is located at 1339 South Broadway St., and the phone number to call is 903.951.1001.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Trustees Approve Personnel Policy Change, 4 Staff Changes
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees approved a personnel policy change and four staff changes during a special called bard meeting Monday.
Personnel Changes
The school board, following an executive session, accepted one resignation and three new hires for Sulphur Springs High School.
Misty Nottingham resigned as the Connections special education aide at SSHS. Sadie Evans was hired to replace Nottingam.
Peter Medlock will join the coaching staff and faculty as an assistant football coach and teacher at SSHS; that position will be absorbed through attrition.
Cedrick Wright will be the new culinary arts teacher at SSHS, replacing Lauren Arden.
Personnel Policy
Trustees also approved as recommended by Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams a change to DC(Local) policy, regarding employment of contractual personnel.
The policy expands the superintendent’s responsibility. The superintendent had sole authority to make recommendations to the school board regarding selection of contractual personnel. The update delegates from school board to superintendent final authority to employ all contractual employees, except those employed in three types of positions. The superintendent would, however, inform the board any contract employees hired under his authority.
Under the policy, as updated at the special noon meeting Feb. 7, 2022, the school board would still retain final authority for employment of contractual personnel in assistant superintendent, principal and director positions.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Virtual Storm Spotter Training Program Planned Feb. 17 For Hopkins And Rockwall Counties
The 2022 severe weather season is not too far away, and the National Weather Service and local public safety officials want you to be ready. The National Weather Service will be conducting a free, virtual severe weather training class for Hopkins County on Thursday, February 17, 2022, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Officially called the SKYWARN Storm Spotter Class, the program will be held in partnership with the Sulphur Springs Police Department. Registration for this online class can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/fwd/skywarnmap. There is no cost to attend this class. This virtual class is being combined with Rockwall County.
This class is for anyone with an interest in severe weather, established storm spotters, and/or anyone who wants to learn more about the severe weather threats in North and Central Texas and how to be prepared. This class is part of a regional severe weather preparedness campaign. Other classes in the region can be found on the full schedule: https://www.weather.gov/fwd/skywarnmap.
This year’s program will feature an in-depth review and study of the various threats posed by severe thunderstorms. The program will also review thunderstorm characteristics and features associated with severe and non-severe storms. Additionally, the program highlights severe weather safety and how you can report severe weather information to the National Weather Service Fort Worth Office and local public safety officials.
“By participating in this training session, you will gain a better understanding of Texas’ severe weather season,” says Tom Bradshaw, Meteorologist-in-Charge of the NWS Fort Worth Office. “Waiting until storms are on your doorstep is not the time to start thinking about severe weather preparedness. We hope you attend these free classes to learn more about the severe storms that impact the region every year.”
The Hopkins County severe weather program is one of several training sessions the Fort Worth National Weather Service Office will conduct between January and March 2022. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth provides forecasts, warnings, and weather services for 46 counties in North and Central Texas.
For more information on severe weather, visit our website at https://weather.gov/fortworth, or find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSDallasFortWorth and on Twitter: @NWSFortWorth.
3 Jailed On Felony Warrants For Offenses Against Others
Feb 7, 2022 – Three people were jailed over the weekend on felony warrants for offenses against others, according to arrest and jail reports.
Probation Warrant
Layton Wes Keller arrived at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 4:55 p.m. Feb. 5, 2022, to turn himself in. Deputy Aaron Chaney was notified. Communications confirmed The 21-year-old Sulphur Springs man did indeed have an active warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a Nov. 7, 2020, assault of a pregnant person charge.
Chaney took Keller into custody and walked him into the jail, where he was booked in on the warrant. Keller was held in Hopkins County jail on the charge Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, according to jail reports.
The offense, Chaney noted on arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on Jan. 31, 2022.
Winnsboro Police Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified Jessie Craig Swanner, was arrested by Winnsboro Police Feb. 6, 2022, and held on a Hopkins County warrant. Deputy Zack Horne met Winnsboro Police Officer J. Rich at 10:45 p.m. Feb. 5, 2022, and took custody of Swanner.
Horne transported the 61-year-old Scroggins man to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in early Sunday morning on a stalking warrant. Swanner remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, in lieu of $200,000 bond on the third-degree felony stalking charge, according to jail reports. The offense, according to arrest reports, occurred at on Nov. 23, 2021.
Wildcat Way Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Jameison Hawkins stopped a a Ford F150 pickup at 11:54 a.m. Feb. 6, 2022, on Wildcat Way for an expired registration.
A records check using the driver’s ID information showed Kyle Wayne Hurley to be wanted in Red River County on two felony warrants for offenses against others. After receiving confirmation the warrants were active, the 36-year-old Deport man was taken into custody and transported to jail; the truck was impounded. Officer Zack Davis assisted with the stop, according to arrest reports.
Hurley was booked into Hopkins County jail Sunday on the Red River County aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and abandoning or endangering a child warrants. He was held in Hopkins County jail until Monday on the charges. Bond was set at $25,000 on the assault charge and $5,000 on the child endangerment charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Sulphur Springs ISD Long Range Facilities Planning Committee Recommends Calling For May 7 Bond Election To Address District Needs
Sulphur Springs ISD’s Long Range Planning Committee Monday afternoon recommended trustees call for a May 7 bond election to begin addressing $93 million worth of needed upgrades, improvements and additions identified during a series of meetings and campus walk-throughs.
Dr. Lizzy Johnson of TransCend4, a ground formed to help “Texas school districts that may be struggling to keep their board aligned and projects on track, facilitate bond committees, special projects, and school board professional development to keep superintendents, school boards, and communities aligned in order to create lasting positive outcomes for students,” explained that she has worked with SSISD’s long range planning committee during regular meetings to evaluate and prioritize school needs. The committee then on Monday after compiling the findings made a recommendation to the school board during a special called meeting.
The committee consisted of 50 different community and educational representatives, including parents and grandparents, business leaders, civic leaders, educators and administrators, volunteers, retirees, alumni and students with campus principals serving as table facilitators.
Dr. Johnson commended SSISD committee on just how engaged they were, diligent to be at each meeting and involved in each phase of the process. The members showed “a lot of faith” in the superintendent, school board and district as whole.
Johnson explained that the SSISD Long Range Facilities Planning Committee was charged at each meeting with making recommendations that:
- consider the needs of all students;
- support the district mission, values and beliefs;
- strive for equity of facilities, defined as not being the same, but rather as supporting common educational goals of the district, including safety and security; and
- use facts, data and financial resources to make informed decisions.
The group met at least six times. The first meeting, the committee focused on process, timeline, vision and goal, charge from the school board, gradients of decision making model and school finance 101.
The second meeting focused on demographics reports and district needs presentation
Meeting three involved a facility needs assessment and educational adequacy review.
The committee also on a Saturday morning took a facility tour, walking the various campuses to what each has and needs, and how each is utilized.
The fourth meeting was project priority presentation, what was thought to be the most important things identified.
During meeting five, the committee saw a presentation from a financial advisor.
Finally, in meeting six the committee focused on bond package development with CoVoice.
Sulphur Springs High School students Katie Tiemeyer found the planning process an “amazing experience” she was blessed to be part of. She was able to tell those at her table at each meeting what she thought of certain things, to draw on her experiences attending SSISD from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and recommend change that will benefit future students.
She appreciated being included in the process and that those who are more seasoned in life genuinely wanted to hear and listened to her opinions and recommendations. She said she thinks many issues were brought to light, and recommendations made to improve them for the education, health and safety of all students and staff.
Shannon Barker, a mom who also served as committee liaison, felt it was important that so many different voices from different segments oft he community were involved in the process, none considered above or more than others, as all were needed to identify what is needed for the district to be successful and to do what’s right for all students.
Touring the campuses, seeing the differences and different needs, the willingness of all involved to equip teachers to help students learn better.
Jason Haire, a parent who also served as a committee liaison, said he went in with the idea that he could make recommendations for a new gym at hte high school. In the end, after seeing needs across the district, a new high school gym did not factor into the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee’s recommendations.
While he is disappointed the gym did not make it on the recommendations list, Haire said there are far greater needs that require more immediate attention than a new high school gym. He added that he would be even more disappointed, however, if the school board does not call for a bond in the near future and the community does not rally to support it so that the district can provide the tools needed for students and the district to be successful.
Ultimately, the committee recommended calling for a bond election to be held on May 7 in conjunction with the trustees election to raise funding to begin addressing the $93 million in addition, upgrades, improvements and renovations.
Overall, those recommendations presented by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee to the school board at the special Feb. 7 meeting, included the following (along with cost estimates for each):
- Travis Elementary Replacement – $35,000,000
- Bowie Elementary Classroom Additions – $6,000,000
- Bush Elementary Renovations – $1,000,000
- Sulphur Springs Elementary Renovations – $3,000,000
- High School CTE Center – $12,000,000
- Fine Arts Addition – $12,500,000
- Buses – $2,000,000
- Capital Improvement Projects across District – $9,000,000
- Austin/DAEP Renovation – $500,000
- Douglas Early Childhood Renovations – $2,000,000
- High School Refurbishments – $10,000,000
Since the recommendations were given as a presentation Monday, no action could be taken on the recommendation to call for a bond election.
The school board is expected to consider the matter further, then, at the next board meeting, scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, consider calling for a May 7 bond election to begin the process of meeting the facilities recommendations made by the planning committee. If SSISD Board of Trustees does call for an election early voting would be April 19-27, 2022
An Evening of Jazz Hosted by the Community Players Inc.
The Community Players, Inc. will have the pleasure of hosting Jeff and J.B. Smith along with Ben Scarbourgh on Saturday, February 12 at Main Street Theatre for a second night of celebrating Valentine’s Day in Sulphur Springs with an evening of jazz that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes music.
The Doors will open at 6:30 P.M., and the show begins at 7:00 P.M. with an intermission for refreshments and mingling with the homegrown musicians. The ticket price is $15 available on The Community Players’ website: www.communityplayersinc.com and their Facebook page: Main Street Theatre.
The Community Players, Inc., is really looking forward to this event and many others at Main Street Theatre as they house and sponsor a greater variety of programs since the renovations of the exterior walls and redecoration of the lobby.
Understanding Frosts And Freezes
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Two types of cold events can damage plants in Texas: advective freezes (“freezes”) and radiative frosts (“frosts”).
Texans are familiar with the term blue norther, a windy cold front that moves south from Canada through the Great Plains. The technical term for these events is advective freezes.
Advective freezes bring sudden, steep plunges in temperature, wind speeds of more than 4 mph, and masses of cold air from 500 to 5,000 feet deep. They may bring clouds and precipitation at the onset and can take 1 to 3 days to make their way out of Texas.
These freezes create uniformly cold temperatures throughout the plant canopy, sometimes damaging the plants from their lowest to highest points. The harm is caused by low temperatures and drying, sometimes relentless, winds.
Some of the most serious plant-damaging cold events recorded in Texas have been advective freezes. Most frequent in the winter, they occasionally wreak havoc in the fall as they usher in winter suddenly before the plants have time to acclimate. Freezes generally become less numerous and less severe as spring arrives, although it takes only one serious freeze late in the spring to damage tender transplants and spring-blooming fruits.
Radiative frosts occur when the sky is clear and winds are less than 4 mph. During the day, the sun’s radiation heats the plants and soil; at night, they lose radiation back to the sky. Plants and other objects cool faster when skies are clear because of the unimpeded loss of radiation.
Depending on the amount of radiation that the plants gain during the day, they may cool steadily at night to the freezing point before sunrise. This can occur on clear-sky nights in the winter, spring, or fall. On cloudy nights, the clouds reflect radiation back toward earth, which slows plant cooling and reduces frost injury.
The most severe radiative frosts occur when the weather is cloudy during the day and clear at night. The clouds reduce the amount of radiation absorbed during the day; if they dissipate late in the day or early during the night, intense cooling and plant freezing may be experienced.
Because the tops of the plants are most exposed to the open sky, they are the likeliest parts to be injured by radiative frost. The leaves at the top of the plant slow the radiation loss from the lower sections, so the cold damages the plant’s outer and upper parts most on frost nights.
Under radiative conditions, the leaves, stems, and other plant structures that have full sky exposure can be as much as 5 degrees colder than the recorded air temperature. This is why some plants show frost injury even when the recorded air temperatures did not drop below 32°F.
Radiative frosts are accompanied by temperature inversions, which occur when the ground cools quickly but no wind mixes the air, leaving layers of cold air close to the ground. Depending on the topography and inversion strength, a cold air inversion may be 50 to 150 feet deep.
Low-lying topography is colder in radiative frosts because of the inversion and the tendency for cold air, which is heavier than warm air, to settle into “frost pockets.” Avoid planting cold-sensitive plants in frost pockets. Monitor the temperature near the ground, which can be a few degrees colder in a radiative inversion.
Radiative frosts occur often in winter and can seriously damage delicate and marginally adapted plants. They generally occur one or more nights after an advective freeze has left the region. Although fewer frosts occur in the spring, they are the ones chiefly responsible for damage to spring-blooming fruit crops or early-spring vegetable transplants.
Although a radiative frost does not last long—as little as 1 to 4 hours—the damage can be disastrous.
After a freeze or frost, the leaves of damaged herbaceous plants may immediately appear withered and water soaked. However, the freeze injury to the twigs, branches, or trunks often doesn’t appear on shrubs and trees right away. Wait a few days and then use a knife or thumbnail to scrape back the outer bark on young branches. Freeze-damaged areas will be brown beneath the bark; healthy tissues will be green or a healthy creamy color. Delay pruning until time reveals the areas that are living and dead and until the threat of additional frosts or freezes has passed. Leaving dead limbs and foliage at the tops of plants will help protect the lower leaves and branches from nighttime radiation loss. Pruning after a freeze does not improve the outcome. Also, plants that are pruned tend to be invigorated more quickly, which may set them up for further damage in Texas’s unpredictable cycling of warm and cold temperatures.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
