Hazard, Ky. – Residents across eastern Kentucky should prepare for a late-season frost risk Sunday night into early Monday, with temperatures in rural valleys expected to dip as low as 32°F, threatening gardens and sensitive plants.
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, a dry air mass and clear skies will allow rapid cooling overnight. Low-lying areas, especially in Fleming, Rowan, Bath, Elliott, Harlan, Pike, and surrounding counties, are most at risk. Cities like Morehead, Jackson, Hazard, and Pikeville may see valley thermometers fall to near freezing, while ridgetops and urban zones will stay several degrees warmer and avoid frost.
Sensitive plants and early garden starts in sheltered valleys face the highest risk of frost damage or loss. The NWS advises residents in vulnerable spots to cover tender vegetation or bring plants indoors. Extra caution is recommended for gardeners and farmers in rural zones like McKee, Barbourville, and Salyersville, where cold pockets are most likely to form.
This frost potential arrives after a stretch of mild spring weather and could be the coldest night in weeks for much of the region. The threat is expected to end by mid-morning Monday, but additional advisories are possible if clear, calm conditions persist.
Stay alert for updates from the National Weather Service overnight and take precautions to protect plants as temperatures drop.
