Greenville, SC – Winter weather is on the way for the Carolinas and northeast Georgia, with the season’s first fall freeze expected soon, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The NWS Greenville-Spartanburg office released its average timeline for the first freeze — when surface air temperatures drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Officials warn that the shift signals the beginning of cold-season hazards, from frost damage to icy roads.
Mountain towns across western North Carolina, including Burnsville and Newland, typically see their first freeze as early as October 11. Mid-elevation communities such as Asheville, Franklin, and parts of northeast Georgia usually experience freezing temperatures closer to October 21.
Foothill and Upstate cities, including Shelby, NC and Greenville, SC, tend to drop below freezing around November 1. The latest freezes are often recorded in southern and lower-elevation areas, such as Greenwood, SC and Monroe, NC, where the average first freeze date is November 11.
While these dates are based on historical averages, the NWS emphasizes that actual freeze events can shift earlier or later depending on weather patterns. Residents are urged to prepare now by protecting sensitive plants, winterizing homes, and monitoring forecasts closely.
The first freeze is often considered the gateway into winter weather season, marking the potential for frost, icy travel, and early snow in higher elevations.
