EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso's first freeze of the new year is expected to take place this week paired with a couple of snowy days. A big drop in temperatures is forecasted for this week, along with the possibility of accumulating snow. According to the National Weather Service, there's a 60 to 80 percent of snow on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and Thursday, Jan. 9 across the El Paso region including Southern New Mexico. KTSM has also issued a Weather Authority alert for this week. "Snowfall totals will likely range from 1 to 2 inches in the lowlands to 2 to 5 inches in area mountains," the National Weather Service said on its X account. For the Las Cruces area, scattered snow showers with light accumulation are expected with winds up to 35 mph, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Weather Authority Alert: Plunge in temps, snow accumulation coming — Your 9-Day Forecast With the big drop in temperatures in mind, it's important to remember the four P's: people, pets, pipes, and plants. Here are some tips from the National Weather Service and El Paso Animal Services. People: It's important to layer up and make sure to dress according to the weather. You can also consume hot foods and warm drinks to stay warm. It's also important to check up on loved ones such as the elderly or those who will be seriously impacted by the weather. Pets: If you have any pets outside, it's best to bring them in especially when snow arrives in the Borderland. El Paso Animal Services has provided an important list for pet owners when it comes to cold temperatures. Provide a warm place to sleep and rest: If possible, bring your pets indoors, a garage or a laundry room are great spaces that can be used. If you must leave a pet outside, make sure they have drinkable water, proper shelter with four walls, a roof, and a location away from any drafts. Provide dry blankets and rotate them routinely to ensure they are dry. Clean up vehicle spills: Now is the time when many households are checking and filling their car with antifreeze. This solution is lethal to animals as it can result in kidney failure, so be sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle and seek emergency treatment if you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze. Tap your car hood: Neighborhood cats tend to seek warmth from an engine compartment, with many sleeping under a car hood for the night. The best way to help prevent an accident is to simply bang on top of your hood or honk your horn before starting your car which will alert the cat. Pipes: Insulate any exposed outdoor pipes to prevent them from freezing this week. Inside your home, you can let one faucet drip slightly overnight to keep water flowing. You can open the cabinets under your kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow the warm air from your heater to circulate and help prevent your pipes from freezing. Plants: Protect your plants by either bringing them inside or covering them. If you have any specialized plants, check with an arborist or local nursery to see if they need other kinds of treatment. A spokesperson from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says crews have been preparing for the major winter weather and have started pretreating I-10 with brine. "Crews winterize roads by applying brine, a salt and water mixture, ahead of freezing temperatures and precipitation. It is a fast-moving operation that has minimal impacts to the traveling public and minimizes ice bonding to the pavement," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson says Transmountain and elevated structures and ramps, like the Spaghetti Bowl and flyovers, will also be a top priority along with roadways heading into mountain passes in the rural area. Crews will also be implementing 24-hour shifts for double-checking equipment and ensuring resources and staff are strategically aligned. "We work closely with the National Weather Service in El Paso and Midland, neighboring districts, Austin, NMDOT, and law enforcement to stay updated and respond accordingly. We are also extending our HERO hours and coverage area and will be coordinating with construction projects to ensure travel is not impacted," the TxDOT spokesperson said. The spokesperson adds that the public should only travel if necessary and road conditions can be tracked on drivetexas.org and can be viewed using their cameras online at txdot.gov. If drivers do need to head out, they should plan extra travel time and check their vehicle before leaving including tires, wipers, gas, and other maintenance items. Drivers should also pack an emergency kit that includes water, any required medication, snacks, blankets, batteries, and flashlights, the TxDOT spokesperson said. Drivers should also allow extra space between vehicles when driving on the road, wear their seatbelts, not speed, and not drive distracted. If your vehicle breaks down or is involved in a crash, move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible, stay inside your vehicle, and call the non-emergency police number or TxDOT HERO at (915) 790-HERO (4376). The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has also provided some tips on how to stay safe on the roadways. Those tips are the following: Reduce your speed The best accident prevention on snow and ice is to slow down and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you for emergencies. Practice good winter driving techniques Keep your gas tank full, turn on your headlights, keep your windshield washer fluid full with antifreeze, keep winter driving chains in your vehicle, and have a winter survival kit that includes a flashlight, hand warmers packets, first aid supplies, high energy snacks, bottled water, medications and read your owner’s manual for special instructions on driving 4-wheel drive vehicles and vehicles with ABS on snow and ice. Avoid driving in a snow cloud Large vehicles, such as semi-trailer trucks and snowplows, may produce dense clouds of blowing snow that make it difficult for drivers to see. When drivers encounter snow clouds, they should stay back to avoid the cloud. Plan ahead and be patient Delays are common during bad weather. Leave a little earlier and be patient with delays. Check before you pass Know where a snowplow and blade are before trying to pass. On multi-lane highways, the plow can be in your blind spot. Before attempting to pass, make sure it is safe. Pay attention to weather forecasts Winter storms in New Mexico can become severe quickly, so stay tuned to weather forecasts when planning your trip. Don't use cruise control Never use cruise control when the roads are in slippery conditions. Using your cruise control can reduce your control of the vehicle if your tires begin to skid or slip. Know your current road conditions For the southern part of New Mexico, visit the NMDOT website for current road advisory information at http://nmroads.com, or dial 511 in the state. Wear your seatbelt Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers also “buckle up” The City of El Paso is offering library and parks and recreation locations as warming centers for those who may need a safe and warm place to stay. The community can visit any of the following public libraries: Armijo Library (620 E. 7th) Clardy Fox (5515 Robert Alva) Dorris Van Doren (551 Redd) Esperanza Moreno (12480 Pebble Hills) Irving Schwartz (1865 Dean Martin) Jose Cisneros/Cielo Vista (1300 Hawkins) Judge Marquez (610 N. Yarbrough) Memorial Park (3200 Copper) Richard Burges (9600 Dyer Ste. C) Sergio Troncoso (9321 Alameda) Westside (125 Belvidere) All libraries will be open during the following hours: Monday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed The community can also visit any of the following recreation centers: Valle Bajo (7380 Alameda) Marty Robbins (11600 Vista Del Sol) Galatzan (650 Wallenberg) Nations Tobin (8831 Railroad) All recreation centers will be open during the following hours: Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday: Closed For more information on warming center locations and hours, dial 311 or visit ElPasoReady.org. The City of Las Cruces will also have designated facilities during the following times for anyone who needs warmth and shelter during the freeze this week. Those facilities are the following: Frank O'Brien Papen Center, 304 Bell Avenue 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Avenue 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m Saturday Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E. Picacho Avenue 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Friday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Munson Senior Center, 975 S. Mesquite Street 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Safe Café, 6121 Reynolds Drive 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Benavidez Center 1045 McClure Road 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday