Freeze Warnings Issued Across Eight States

States across the Great Plains and Midwest regions have been blanketed in cold weather warnings, with temperatures dropping below zero in many areas.

Freeze Warnings have been issued across large areas of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Michigan, as well as small portions of Iowa, Kansas, and Wyoming.

Additionally, Freeze Watches are in place across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Pennsylvania, and Frost Advisories have been given for parts of Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa.

“Well below average temperatures to chill much of the central and eastern United States,” the NWS said in a Short Range Public Discussion. “Widespread low temperatures will also dip below average for this time of year and into the 30s, creating the potential for some places to see their first frost or freeze of this fall season.”

Temperatures are forecast to drop as low as 25 degrees F in parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with temperatures in the “low to mid 20s” predicted for North Dakota. Sections of Iowa may drop as low as 27 degrees, and “upper 20s to low 30s” is forecast for Michigan.

Many of the Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories are in place until 9 a.m. CT, though some others and most of the Freeze Watches will remain in place into Tuesday.

“A Freeze Watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours,” the NWS explained, while a Freeze Warning is “issued when significant, widespread freezing temperatures are expected.”

A Frost Advisory is put in place “when the minimum temperature is forecast to be 33 to 36 degrees on clear and calm nights during the growing season.”

These are issued in the fall until the end of the growing season, which is marked by the occurrence of the first widespread freeze.

“The normal end of the growing season is mid to late October west of the Blue Ridge and early November east of the Blue Ridge. However, during anomalously warm autumns, the growing season may be extended past the normal end of the growing season,” the NWS said.

The NWS warns that these sub-zero temperatures could threaten crops and plants, possibly killing them.

“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the NWS warned. “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”

Additionally, freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst due to water expanding as it becomes ice.

“To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly,” the NWS said.

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