Cincinnati, OH – A tri-state freeze warning is in effect as temperatures are expected to fall to 28°F overnight, threatening vegetation and outdoor plumbing across Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, the freeze warning remains active from midnight Friday until 9 a.m. EDT Saturday, impacting areas including Cincinnati, Dayton, Lexington, and portions of southeast Indiana. Sub-freezing temperatures will affect both urban and rural communities, with the coldest readings expected just before dawn.
Residents across counties in central, south-central, southwest, and west-central Ohio—as well as northeastern Kentucky and east-central Indiana—are advised to take action now to protect tender plants and exposed outdoor systems.
Officials urge homeowners to drain sprinkler systems, insulate exposed pipes, and bring sensitive potted plants indoors. Historically, mid-April freezes are not uncommon for the region, but this cold snap follows a warmer trend that encouraged early planting.
Drivers should remain alert for slick spots on elevated roadways during early morning hours, although widespread ice is not anticipated. Agricultural operations, particularly in rural parts of Mercer and Fayette counties, should monitor crops closely.
Temperatures are expected to rebound above freezing by late Saturday morning, ending the freeze threat—but another potential cold front is possible early next week.
