People in Louisiana Should Go to The Gas Pumps Prior to Hard Freeze

Many in Louisiana are beginning to prepare for the arctic air mass that will sweep across the region early next week.

Some have started to prep at home by wrapping pipes and faucets, while others are beginning to prep for their animals that are outside.

One thing you also need to consider is prepping your vehicle for nights way below the freezing mark. For example, if you know that you have a weak car battery, you should probably change it before the hard freeze.

You should also check the air pressure in your tires as tires are known to lose air pressure when temperatures drop and they will be dropping into the 20s early next week.

Now, what about gas in your vehicle? It's always a great idea to have your vehicle filled with gas before a storm or freezing conditions so that you'd have to get out in the elements, but there is also there's a scientific reason for putting gas in your vehicle before a hard freeze.

In cold weather, there's a chance that condensation will form in your gas tank. When you're low on gas on a freezing day or night, condensation will form above the gas and then ultimately settle at the bottom of your tank. This will only lead to major mechanical problems down the road.

However, if you fill your tank halfway or all the up before temps drop below freezing, there's not as much room for air in the tank to allow for water to form. This in return can prevent water from settling in your gas tank as it limits the amount of condensation.

The chances of gas freezing in your tank here are nonexistent, but it can happen when temperatures do drop below -40 degrees.

So while you're getting ready around the house for some very cold nights early next week, take time to fill your vehicle up with gas and relax knowing that you are good if you do have to get on the roads.

We will continue to watch the arctic blast as it pushed further southward in the days ahead and provide you with more details here and on this station's mobile app.