Baltimore, MD – A freeze warning is in effect early Tuesday morning, May 12, across parts of western Maryland, western Virginia, and eastern West Virginia, with temperatures expected to drop to around 30 degrees.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, the warning runs from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tuesday and includes areas such as Garrett County in Maryland, Highland County in Virginia, and portions of Grant, Mineral, and Pendleton counties in West Virginia.
This upgraded warning replaces a previous freeze watch, signaling increased confidence in sub-freezing temperatures across the higher elevations of the central Appalachians.
Forecasters say the coldest temperatures will occur in mountain valleys and rural areas before sunrise, where frost and freeze conditions are expected to become widespread.
The primary concern is significant damage to agriculture and vegetation. Sensitive plants and crops could be killed if left unprotected, and there is also a risk to unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Residents are urged to take immediate precautions by covering or bringing plants indoors and protecting exposed pipes. Even a few hours of freezing temperatures can cause lasting damage.
Temperatures are expected to rise after sunrise Tuesday, ending the freeze threat by mid-morning.
