Monday, April 14, 2008

Freeze Warning tonight

As an upper-level trough maintains its grip on the Mid-South for another 24 hours before moving east, more unseasonably cold weather is on tap for today (lower 50s) with a very cold night expected tonight. The NWS has issued a Freeze Warning for the entire region for tonight as temps are expected to dip below freezing for everyone except those in the heart of the city. While the low at the airport (the official recording station for Memphis) will be around 36, outlying areas will see the mercury drop to 32 by about 2am with a low around 30 (perhaps a degree or two cooler in rural areas) at sunrise. By 9am, everyone should be back above freezing and rising quickly towards a high in the mid 60s. I do expect this to be the last freeze of the spring.

Due to recent warmth, and plenty of rain, many spring plants and flowers have already begun sprouting, growing, and blooming. A few hours of sub-freezing temperatures could damage or kill tender vegetation, especially those not right at the soil level, where soil warmth will protect the lowest couple of inches above the ground. Be sure to cover anything that you do not want damaged overnight tonight. My just-blooming azaleas will definitely be shrouded!

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