Greenville, South Carolina – Gardeners and growers across the Carolinas face a sudden cold threat as temperatures drop to near or below freezing by early Wednesday, with mountain communities dipping as low as 28°F overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, a reinforcing cold air mass will push nighttime lows into the low 30s across western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with a second round of cold settling in Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Frost formation is likely where skies clear and winds calm, especially between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Mountain towns including Boone, Burnsville, and Newland are expected to see the coldest readings, ranging from 28°F to 31°F. Asheville could bottom out near 30°F, while foothill communities like Hickory and Lenoir hover in the mid-30s. Farther south, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson remain just above freezing in the upper 30s to near 41°F, but patchy frost may still develop in low-lying areas.
Sensitive vegetation, early blooms, and outdoor plumbing are most at risk. Residents should cover plants, bring pets indoors, and avoid early morning irrigation that could freeze on surfaces.
The cold snap holds through Thursday morning, and additional advisories may be issued as conditions evolve.
