Freeze Warnings Issued Across Eastern U.S. as Temperatures Drop

A Freeze Warning has been issued for several regions in the eastern United States, including parts of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia, as a cold front brings significantly cooler temperatures to the area. The warning, effective for Sunday night, advises residents to protect sensitive outdoor plants and prepare for temperatures to drop near or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

In Maryland, counties such as Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne's are under a Moderate Freeze Warning, while in Delaware, Inland Sussex, Kent, and New Castle are also affected. These warnings indicate that the cold temperatures could cause damage to plants and agriculture.

The cold front, which moved into the region over the weekend, has brought cooler air and partly sunny conditions. On Sunday, temperatures were forecasted to start in the 30s and 40s in the morning, rising to the upper 50s to near 60 by the afternoon. Despite the drop in temperature, the day was expected to be dry with a lingering breeze.

This change in weather is part of a broader pattern of cooler temperatures expected for the start of the week, with temperatures set to rise significantly by midweek. The National Weather Service (NWS) has also announced changes in how it issues winter weather alerts, including the discontinuation of Frost Advisories and Freeze Watches and Warnings outside of specific dates to reduce confusion and standardize messaging.

The NWS offices serving the Tennessee Valley, for example, will not issue Frost Advisories or Freeze Watches and Warnings past September 30 or before May 1. This adjustment aims to align the issuance of these alerts with the end and start of the growing season, which varies significantly by geographic location).