Residents across several southern and central U.S. states are being urged to prepare amid subfreezing temperatures and the potential for frost damage.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple freeze warnings and frost advisories spanning from Alabama and the Carolinas to Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Georgia.
Why It Matters
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the NWS cautioned in its freeze warnings.
What To Know
Some of the lowest temperatures are forecast in western North Carolina and adjacent Rabun County, Georgia. Freeze warnings are in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT Saturday for these areas.
Local temperatures in the Burke Mountains and the following counties—Buncombe, Eastern McDowell, Henderson, Macon, Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson, and Transylvania—are expected to drop to as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Areas of northern, central, and western Missouri, as well as parts of eastern Kansas, are under both frost advisories and freeze watches. In Missouri, lows could reach 26 degrees, with locations such as Adair, Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, and Linn counties highlighted. Kansas counties including Atchison, Miami, Linn, Leavenworth, Johnson, and Wyandotte may see lows near 32 for the frost advisory and possibly as low as 28 under the freeze watch this weekend.
Frost advisories have been posted for Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker, Winston counties in Alabama through 9 a.m. CDT Friday and again Saturday morning. These areas should anticipate lows ranging from 34—38 degrees, according to the NWS.
Parts of South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Oklahoma were also under frost advisory as of early Friday.
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold,” the NWS advisories suggested.
What People Are Saying
The National Weather Service forecast office, Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina said on X, Friday: “Should be a mostly clear, dry, and cool autumn day. Temps will fall back into the 50s this evening with light wind, should any of you have outdoor plans. Frost on the pumpkin late tonight, with temps falling well down in to the 30s and upper 20s.”
NWS Kansas City, Missouri said in a post on X, Friday: “A widespread freeze is expected across the region on Saturday night, but freezing temperatures are also possible tonight in northern Missouri. A stray shower may occur this evening, especially south of I-70. After a cool weekend, warmer temperatures return next week.”
What Happens Next
Local forecast updates are issued by regional NWS branches on the agency’s website and social media channels.
