A sudden and sharp drop in temperatures has triggered freeze warnings across 16 states in the U.S., stretching from the Northeast and Midwest to southern and western states, as early-season cold air surges across the country.
The warnings, issued by the National Weather Service, are in effect for millions of residents. They urge them to take precautions to protect vulnerable plants, outdoor plumbing and animals.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation,” NWS advises. “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Adding that freezing weather could also “damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing in many areas, a stark contrast from the warmer-than-average fall conditions experienced in recent weeks.
According to the NWS, a freeze warning is issued when temperatures are forecast to remain below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for a long period of time.
Newsweek reached out to the NWS for comment via email on Friday.
The freeze warnings cover a wide area across Eastern states, including Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Northwest North Carolina, will also be affected.
The freeze warning remains in effect in Maryland, Washington County, Virginia and West Virginia until 9 a.m. EDT Friday. Freezing and sub-freezing temperatures are expected in portions of southwest and west central Virginia and northern and southeast West Virginia.
Portions of northwest, southwest, and western Pennsylvania are under a freeze warning from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT Friday, with temperatures as low as 29 degrees.
A freeze warning for a portion of east central New York is in place until 9 a.m. EDT Friday, and freezing temperatures as low as 28 degrees are expected.
Western states, such as parts of Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, California, Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming, will also be affected.
Central, north-central, northwest and south-central portions of Wyoming are under a freeze warning from 11 p.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. MDT Saturday, with sub-freezing temperatures as low as 21 degrees expected.
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In parts of Nevada and California, temperatures will be sub-freezing, with lows of 20-28 degrees. Temperatures as low as 30 degrees are forecast in Oregon valleys, and a freeze warning is in effect in all three states until 9 a.m. PDT Friday.
There are two freeze warnings in place for Arizona. The first is from 1 a.m. 1 to 9 a.m. MDT Saturday, with sub-freezing temperatures expected. For the second freeze warning, from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. MDT Sunday, temperatures as low as 35 degrees are expected. Areas affected include the Upper Gila River Valley and Eastern Cochise County.
There is also still a wind advisory warning in place for parts of the state.
In Utah, a freeze warning remains in effect until 9 a.m. MDT Friday, with widespread temperatures below 32 degrees. The Sanpete and Sevier Valleys will see temperatures as low as 22 to 26 degrees. A freeze warning is in effect from 8 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. MDT Saturday for Eastern Box Elder County, Utah Valley, and Western Uinta Basin.
Utah was one of three states issued a winter storm warning earlier this week. The storm is expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds to mountain areas across the Western states.
Parts of the Midwest also have freeze warnings, including Ohio and Idaho. In Ohio, the warning is in place from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT Friday, affecting Geauga, Mahoning, Portage, and Trumbull Counties and inland Ashtabula County.
Idaho has a freeze warning from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. MDT Friday and can expect sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 degrees.
