The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a wave of freeze warnings, freeze watches, and frost advisories spanning six states, affecting thousands of residents.
Why It Matters
There is a concern that this sudden drop in temperature could damage crops, vegetation, and outdoor water pipes.
The NWS has urged residents in the affected areas to take precautionary measures Tuesday and through Wednesday, as “frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
What To Know
Residents across the Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southwest, Mountain West, and select regions on the West Coast are under active freeze warnings.
Specific warnings include:
Midwest
Counties in the Midwest can expect to see subfreezing temperatures ranging from 23 to 28 F until Wednesday morning. The NWS has urged residents to “drain in-ground sprinkler systems and cover above-ground pipes.”
Areas affected include: Kansas, Southwest Nebraska, Edwards, Kiowa, Pawnee, Stafford, Clark, Ford, Meade and Seward counties.
Northeast
Many Northeast counties will see subfreezing temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s until Wednesday morning, with areas near the immediate shores of Lake Ontario remaining slightly warmer.
Areas affected include: Niagara County, Orleans County, Monroe County, Wayne County, Northern Cayuga County, Northern Erie County, Genesee County, Northern Fairfield, Northern Middlesex, Northern New Haven, Northern New London Counties, Western Bergen and Western Passaic Counties, Northern Westchester and Rockland Counties
Mid-Atlantic
Locations in the Mid-Atlantic can expect to see subfreezing temperatures ranging from 30 to 33 this morning, which could kill sensitive outdoor plants if they’re left uncovered.
Areas affected include: Putnam County, Orange County, Mercer, Western Monmouth, Middlesex, Atlantic, Cumberland, Ocean, Salem, Southeastern/Northwestern Burlington Counties, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Camden, Gloucester, Delaware, Cecil County, Southeast Harford County, and Lower Bucks Counties.
West Coast
Subfreezing temperatures between 27 to 30 are expected to last until Tuesday morning.
Areas affected include: The Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Trinity County.
Southwest
Subfreezing temperatures ranging from 24 to 30 are expected to hit many regions in the Southwest, with some areas experiencing a hard freeze. According to the NWS, the coldest temperatures are likely to be at the lowest elevations along the Rio Grande, lasting until Wednesday morning.
Curry County and Roosevelt County are also likely to experience North and northeasterly winds, ranging from 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, which are likely to last until Tuesday afternoon. Residents and travelers should expect strong crosswinds on roadways.
Parts of the Texas Panhandle and South Plains are also likely to experience high winds of around 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, dying out this afternoon.
Areas affected include: Espanola Valley, Middle Rio Grande Valley (including Albuquerque Metro Area), Santa Fe Metro Area, South Central Highlands, Upper Tularosa Valley, Guadalupe County, Quay County, De Baca County, Eastern Lincoln County, Southwest Chaves County, Curry County, Roosevelt County, Oklahoma Panhandle, portions of the Texas Panhandle, South Plains, Cochran, Lynn, Terry, and Yoakum Counties, Guadalupe Mountains of west Texas and Southeast New Mexico, Northern Lea, Central Lea, Gaines, Dawson, Chinati Mountains, Marfa Plateau, and Davis Mountains.
Mountain West
Some Mountain West regions—specifically Fort Collins, Boulder, and the western suburbs of Denver, and Castle Rock—can expect two freeze warnings. The first warning, which is in place until this morning, warns of subfreezing temperatures as low as 26. For the second, which is in place until Wednesday morning, temperatures as low as 19 are expected.
Baca County and Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County could see subfreezing temperatures as low as 14, through Wednesday morning.
Other regions in the Mountain West can expect to see subfreezing temperatures in the mid to upper 20s, which will last until this morning.
Areas affected include: Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado, Utah (including Capitol Reef National Park), Baca County, and Canon City Vicinity/Eastern Fremont County
What People Are Saying
The NWS New York office warned residents on X that “many areas may drop below freezing with areas of frost also possible.”
The NWS Baltimore-Washington office posted: “Frost Advisories & Freeze Warnings have been issued for areas east of US-15 where the growing season continues. Lows will fall into the 30s with values at or below freezing across the northern & western suburbs of Baltimore/Washington DC.”
What Happens Next
Residents of affected states have been advised to protect “tender plants,” insulate plumbing and drain sprinkler systems. The NWS has recommended that the public remain vigilant as additional frost, freeze, or cold weather advisories may be issued as conditions evolve.
