National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are warning residents in Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama of plunging temperatures overnight on Thursday.
Why It Matters
When freezing weather occurs after an area’s average frost date, it can cause damage to or even kill plants, fruit trees and other vegetation. Freezing temperatures also put pipes at risk.
The cold temperatures follow strong winds that blew through the area earlier this week. The storm systems moving across the nation have brought in an area of high pressure over the Gulf States. Calm winds, clear skies, and dry air create an ideal environment for colder temperatures.
What To Know
On Thursday morning, several NWS offices across the region issued a freeze warning or a frost advisory. Subfreezing temperatures will hit the northern half of each state during the overnight hours on Thursday and into Friday morning.
Northcentral, northwest and west central Georgia are expected to experience temperatures as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Central, east central, north central, and northeast Mississippi will experience slightly warmer temperatures, with temperatures expected to dip to 31 degrees. All counties in northern Alabama are expecting temperatures between 27 and 31 degrees.
Frost advisories extend further south into the three states and the Florida panhandle. Temperatures will likely remain above freezing, but frost can still form.
Freeze warnings were also issued for the Eureka, California, forecast region.
What People Are Saying
NWS meteorologist Nicholas Fenner told Newsweek: “We are starting to push back beyond our average last freeze of the season. That’s usually about March 15 or so here in the central Mississippi area. That’s what has us issuing this freeze warning today.”
NWS office in Peachtree City, Georgia, in a freeze warning: “Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
NWS office in Birmingham, Alabama, in a freeze warning: “To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above ground pipes to protect them from freezing.”
NWS Huntsville, Alabama, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “After subfreezing temps tonight, a warming trend will begin for the first half of the weekend. A cold front will bring storms to the region beginning Sun afternoon.”
What Happens Next
The cold temperatures aren’t expected to stay. According to the 8 to 14-day outlooks, the NWS Climate Prediction Center anticipates above-average temperatures across each of the three impacted states. Near-normal precipitation is expected during that same time frame.
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