Greenville, NC – Temperatures will drop to the freezing mark within hours, putting crops, backyard gardens, and exposed pipes at risk across eastern North Carolina before sunrise Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, with lows expected between 30 and 32 degrees across inland coastal plain counties. Areas impacted include Pitt, Craven, Beaufort, Lenoir, Onslow, and surrounding communities.
Cities such as Greenville, New Bern, Jacksonville, Kinston, and Washington could see a full six-hour window of sub-freezing temperatures. Rural and low-lying areas may dip briefly below 30 degrees, increasing the risk of crop loss and frost damage. Sensitive spring vegetation, including early-season crops and ornamental plants, faces the highest threat.
Residents should cover plants, bring potted vegetation indoors, and insulate outdoor plumbing where possible. Farmers and gardeners are urged to act before midnight to reduce losses. Local emergency management officials warn that unprotected pipes in exposed areas could freeze.
Temperatures will rebound quickly after sunrise Sunday, but additional advisories could be issued if clear skies and light winds persist into early next week.
