Well, like someone already said, it's a warning put out by the weather agencies so people can prep their plants or gardens so they don't die off. Or bring in their pets if they're particularly adverse to chill weather.

Our winter happens sporadically and does what it wants. It's not like the far north where it goes into deep freeze for a few months and then gradually comes out of it.

Everyone that lives here knows that and is used to it by now.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "if you don't like the weather in Texas, just wait a bit and it will change"?

Case in point, a couple years ago, in May no less, we had a week of pretty high temps, like 95-100 and two days later we were encased in ice. It even snowed. Not the crappy snow we usually get that hits the ground and melts, but the big flaky, sticky stuff. I have some pictures on my computer, but I'm at work right now.