Let's get this started...I started following POW after he proved right on a lot of stuff last year. His latest update shows a very cold week of Jan 6 with potential for ice/snow that weekend.

There is already a slight risk of heavy snow in Dallas next week… #txwx pic.twitter.com/AZg2fPgIPm

— Chase (@chasetxwx) December 30, 2024

We went swimming on Christmas and I'm in shorts today working in the garage.

I'm sure it'll cool down eventually but it isn't today.

This will be my first winter with a pool. For those seasoned experts out there, any tips for how to handle the cold, ice, snow, etc? I'm assuming running the pump and fountains 24/7 is a must. At what temperature is even that inadequate? (Assuming we don't lose power for extended time)

not sure of your setup but most pool controls have a freeze guard setting which runs the pumps intermittently when the temps go below freezing

Spaceship said:

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This will be my first winter with a pool. For those seasoned experts out there, any tips for how to handle the cold, ice, snow, etc? I'm assuming running the pump and fountains 24/7 is a must. At what temperature is even that inadequate? (Assuming we don't lose power for extended time)

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If you're worried call up a pool company and get their opinion on your equipment. I had a 20+ year old pump that made it through several multi day freezes, then bought new before the 2021 storm and it ran for several days with no issues.

If your pump is relatively new you shouldn't have an issue. It should have a freeze guard and turn on around 34 or 35 degrees. I wouldn't drain and turn everything off because of a freeze, but some do who are worried about power outages.

Learn every drain plug on every piece OG equipment in cas you lose power in a multi day freeze. My heater had a second plug different from all others and not marked in the pdf files we had in 2021 (no internet or cell). That cost me.

Who else do y'all follow for weather forecasts? I have started following the Texas Storm Chasers. I'm curious of everyone's opinions.

POW and Storm Chasers.

Also follow the Texas threads on Storm2K

https://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=124266&start=1520

Not everyone does this but I cover my equipment with blankets and a tarp during winter storms. I leave an opening to allow the motor to breathe and let freeze guard do its thing. I do this to provide a little bit extra warmth and also to keep ice off the plugs in case I do have to vent.

I have a neighbor who has also covered his spa and then will heat his spa up a bit. The covering keeps the heat in and also runs warmer water over the ledges to help ice buildup.

My biggest challenge is ice buildup from my water spouts into the pool.

duck79 said:

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Not everyone does this but I cover my equipment with blankets and a tarp during winter storms. I leave an opening to allow the motor to breathe and let freeze guard do its thing. I do this to provide a little bit extra warmth and also to keep ice off the plugs in case I do have to vent.

I have a neighbor who has also covered his spa and then will heat his spa up a bit. The covering keeps the heat in and also runs warmer water over the ledges to help ice buildup.

My biggest challenge is ice buildup from my water spouts into the pool.

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I am going to do some prep work Friday was well. I wrap my exposed pipes with old towels and use some of that moving plastic to secure them.

I only drain my equipment if it's going to be below freezing for a n extended time. And that's only because I don't want to be out there at 2 AM trying in 20 degree weather to drain the system when the power goes out.

For next week, I doubt I'll bother.

Latest update from POW says possible snow Thursday 1/9, ice Friday 1/10. At this point at least a 50% chance of snow.

I take even POW with a grain of salt at 10 days out.

I'll start caring inside of a week. I use pow and Texas storm chasers. That's enough coverage for me.

Storm chaser app has all the noaa sever weather outlooks for a week or so. I just check that regualrly

beatlesphan said:

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Latest update from POW says possible snow Thursday 1/9, ice Friday 1/10. At this point at least a 50% chance of snow.

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Crap. I was planning to drive back into dfw that time

Now saying snow Wed/Thurs. His models are showing colder temps and more precip than my 10-day Accuweather app. I would say it's clickbait but he's been right about this before.

I am ok with snaps of cold...just hate when we have 2 or 3 or more days in a row when it does not get above freezing...will be prepping exterior faucets with Freeze Misers this weekend

All the sites in looking at show it getting into the 40s every day during this cold wnap. Guess it depends on where this cold mass comes down. Right now it's showing further eats.

duck79 said:

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Not everyone does this but I cover my equipment with blankets and a tarp during winter storms. I leave an opening to allow the motor to breathe and let freeze guard do its thing. I do this to provide a little bit extra warmth and also to keep ice off the plugs in case I do have to vent.

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Same. I even wrap the exposed PVC with a string of incandescent Christmas lights for a bit of warmth. The freeze guard does it's thing(ours is set at 38).

Side note: I have Freeze Misers on all exterior faucets.

My Apple weather app is calling for 6-7inches of snow on Thursday. Seems to be quite an outlier in it's prediction

aggiesherpa said:

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My Apple weather app is calling for 6-7inches of snow on Thursday. Seems to be quite an outlier in it's prediction

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A couple of the main computer models are showing 6-7 inches of snow for Thursday for us. This mornings model runs are the first to show that level.

Will get more interesting if tomorrows show the same.

National weather service is also on board with 70% chance of wintery precip Thursday.

Hard freeze Sunday night by the way. Do your prep today, temps will start crashing tomorrow morning.

Hell yes

So I normally don't shut down my pool if it's gonna get above freezing during the day, but this is a little too sketchy. Pulling all the plugs today and shutting down.

Hold onto your butts...at the very least it's gonna be cold as balls for about 6 days

fc2112 said:

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So I normally don't shut down my pool if it's gonna get above freezing during the day, but this is a little too sketchy. Pulling all the plugs today and shutting down.

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Out of curiosity, why'd you decide to go that route? I'm seeing a high of 39-40F everyday this week.

This one seems just warm enough (highs above freezing) that I will probably let it ride. I have shut down pool in past but it's a pain and still not a guarantee of no damage.

We should have Hugh's above freezing into Wednesday. But will be below freezing every night.

If the models are right we will be below freezing from Wednesday evening through Saturday morning.

Latest model runs give north Texas 6-7 inches of snow Thursday.

/thatswhatshesaid

Multiple weather sources I have seen are still showing highs in the 30s-40s.

aggiesherpa said:

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Multiple weather sources I have seen are still showing highs in the 30s-40s.

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If we get the winter weather the models are showing we will stay in the 29-33 range for highs on Thursday and Friday.