WILMINGTON, Ohio – A sharp drop in overnight temperatures will bring the season’s first widespread frost risk across much of central and southern Ohio late Thursday night into early Friday morning, with readings dipping into the mid-30s. Gardeners and growers should take immediate steps to cover plants or move sensitive vegetation indoors before nightfall.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, frost formation is possible between 3:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Friday as skies clear and winds calm—ideal conditions for surface cooling. The chill will be felt from Columbus to Cincinnati, including Dayton, Chillicothe, and Portsmouth, where lows are expected to range from 33°F to 37°F. The coldest pockets may briefly touch the freezing mark in rural valleys north and east of I-71.
The agency urges residents to protect tender vegetation and prepare for potentially slick spots on bridges or elevated surfaces due to early frost. Homeowners should also disconnect garden hoses and ensure outdoor pets have adequate shelter. Morning commuters may notice patchy fog in low-lying areas before sunrise Friday.
Warmer air is expected to return by the weekend, but this frost episode signals a clear seasonal shift as fall takes hold across the Ohio Valley.
