On Wednesday at 3:07 p.m. the National Weather Service issued a freeze watch valid for Friday between 1 a.m. and 9 a.m. The watch is for Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Davidson, Randolph, Chatham, Wake, Johnston, Wilson, Stanly, Montgomery, Moore, Lee, Harnett, Anson, Richmond, Scotland and Hoke counties.

The NWS states, “Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 degrees possible.”

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

Freeze watch or warning – this is what it means

Freeze warnings are issued from May to October (but can be extended if necessary), when low temperatures are expected to be 29-32 degrees. If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.

According to the NWS, if a freeze warning or watch is issued for your area, there is little you can do to protect plants. If you can move your sensitive plants inside, do so because the freeze will likely kill them, depending on the severity of conditions.

Source: The National Weather Service