Seasonal

Get ready before freeze season

Pipe freezes happen in spaces you do not walk through every hour. Put a probe where the water is, set a threshold a few degrees above 32°F, and get a clock for when this space hits freeze, plus an alert while you still have hours to act.

Start free: connect a probe Community freeze map

Tonight’s checklist

  1. Drip faucets on exterior walls if supply lines run through cold spaces.
  2. Check door seals (garage, shop, crawlspace access) and close any propped-open doors.
  3. Insulate outdoor spigots and disconnect garden hoses.
  4. Confirm freeze alerts are on, send a test if you have not lately.
  5. Verify a probe sits in the coldest corner near pipes or stored goods.
  6. Optional: opt your city into the public freeze map.

Sample coldest cities

Illustrative preview until enough households opt into the freeze map.

  • Anchorage, AK: min 22.1°F
  • Chicago, IL: min 29.8°F
  • Detroit, MI: min 30.5°F

View full map

Why indoor probes beat outdoor weather alone

A Tempest or airport reading says how cold the yard is. Your pipes care about the unheated bay, the leaky door, and the failed space heater. ThermalTrace watches that space, and can sit next to outdoor weather on your dashboard for context.

vs outdoor weather stations ESP32 + DS18B20 parts list Read freeze stories Try the live demo

Frequently asked questions

Seasonal freeze prep for homeowners with probes in cold spaces.

When is freeze season for ThermalTrace?

Treat November through March as primary freeze season in most of the contiguous US. Coastal and mountain climates vary; use your coldest nights and NWS freeze warnings as the real signal.

Why not rely on outdoor weather alone?

Outdoor stations measure the yard. Pipes freeze in unheated bays, crawlspaces, and shops that lag outdoor air. Put a probe where the water is, then use outdoor weather for context.

What should I do tonight before a cold snap?

Drip exterior-wall faucets if lines run cold, close propped doors, insulate spigots, confirm freeze alerts with a test, and verify a probe sits in the coldest corner near pipes. Checklist on this page.

Where is the ESP32 parts list?

thermaltrace.dev/about/esp32-freeze-kit — ESP32 + waterproof DS18B20 BOM, wiring, and flash steps.