Morgantown, West Virginia – Temperatures across northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio are expected to plunge overnight, bringing a damaging freeze that could wipe out early spring vegetation by sunrise Wednesday.
A Freeze Warning takes effect at 11 p.m. Tuesday and lasts until 10 a.m. Wednesday for counties surrounding Morgantown, Fairmont, and parts of eastern Ohio. Overnight lows could drop to around 26 degrees, cold enough to kill newly planted crops and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, the warning covers Monongalia, Marion, Preston, and Wetzel counties in West Virginia, along with Guernsey, Noble, Monroe, and Muskingum counties in Ohio. Communities including Morgantown, Fairmont, Kingwood, Cambridge, Woodsfield, and Zanesville could all experience widespread frost and sub-freezing temperatures.
The cold air arrives under clear skies and light winds Tuesday night, allowing heat to escape quickly after sunset. Higher terrain areas such as Coopers Rock, Terra Alta, and Bruceton Mills may see some of the coldest readings.
Residents are urged to cover or bring in sensitive plants, move potted vegetation indoors, and wrap outdoor faucets or exposed pipes to prevent damage. Gardeners who have already started spring planting should take immediate protective steps before temperatures drop late Tuesday evening.
Conditions should gradually warm late Wednesday morning as sunshine returns, but additional chilly nights remain possible this week. Weather alerts could be updated if more frost threats develop.
