Heavy Frost and Freeze Warnings Issued for North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia

Colder-than-expected temperatures overnight tonight have caused a modification in the forecast for evening lows across sections of the Mid-Atlantic.

Unseasonably cold air is moving in behind our major low-pressure system in the Great Lakes region, with a subsequent low-pressure system likely to form in the northeast. Heavy snowfall is expected at higher elevations in New York, Pennsylvania, and extreme northwest New Jersey overnight tonight. At the same time, a large batch of persistent snow from the major low-pressure system moves into areas of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

To the south of our double-barrel storm system, partially cloudy skies will aid in the radiational cooling process, causing temperatures below freezing in southeast Virginia, central and eastern North Carolina, and north central South Carolina. As a result, the National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for these locations overnight tonight and early tomorrow morning.

Freezing temperatures can harm or destroy late-season crops and plants and endanger cattle. Please take the necessary precautions to protect your crops and livestock overnight tonight. We could experience sub-freezing temperatures again tomorrow night before things gradually change over the next few days.