Area-wide freeze warning in effect tonight

Record-breaking warmth was in place yesterday, as temperatures got up to 93 degrees in Columbia during the afternoon hours. Today was a much different story, as a cold front has brought a noticeable cooldown into the area. With this cooldown, an area-wide freeze warning is in effect for all of Central Missouri tonight, as temperatures are expected to drop to near- and below-freezing by sunrise tomorrow morning.

This warning will officially go into effect at 1 A.M. on Saturday, expiring at 9:00 A.M. Saturday after sunrise. Most temperatures across the area will drop into the mid to upper 20s throughout this period of time, but for some, temperatures could drop as low as 22 degrees. The main reason this warning has been issued is because of the stretch of well-above-average temperatures leading up to this significant cooldown, allowing for plant budding and growth.

These frost and freeze conditions could lead to loss of crops, other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. The reason these plants will be so sensitive during this period of time is because of the abnormal warmth that was present just yesterday. Some trees have started to bud, and plants have started to grow. When these blossoms grow, they become full of moisture, and when that moisture freezes, it expands and destroys the cell walls.

There are several ways to protect plants. One way this can be done is by bringing plants inside if possible, but if already planted, cover plants with fabric, and ensure that this cover is firmly secured to the ground. Different types of fabrics that can be used are old bedsheets, burlap, or dedicated frost blankets. This is the best way to trap heat that is being radiated from the soil, and securing the cover makes sure the warmer air is completely trapped. Unhook any outdoor hoses to avoid the freezing of outdoor water sources or pipes. Avoid covering with plastic, like with a tarp, as plastic conducts cold. If you do cover plants with plastic, and it touches the leaves, it will actually accelerate the freeze-burn.

This is the only freeze to worry about over the next 7 days, so once temperatures warm back above freezing Saturday afternoon, you will be able to place plants back outdoors or uncover outdoor plants without worry, as well as hook hoses back up to outdoor water sources.

Something to be aware of, though, is that just because there are no other potential freezes over the next 7 days, the threat of frosts and freezes in Central Missouri remains. For Southern and Central Missouri, the average last freeze lands anywhere between April 1st to April 15th, whereas Northern Missouri, on average, does not experience its last freeze until April 16th to April 30th. For the average last frosts, Central Missouri's timeframe lands in mid to late April, before the summer heat fully takes over.