WASHINGTON, D.C. – The coldest air of the season is set to spill into the mid-Atlantic tonight, bringing widespread frost and freezing temperatures to areas north and west of I-95. Residents from western Maryland to the Shenandoah Valley are urged to protect plants, outdoor plumbing, and pets as temperatures dip near or below 32 degrees by dawn Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, Freeze Warnings cover the higher terrain and valleys including Cumberland, Romney, Harrisonburg, and Staunton, while Frost Advisories stretch eastward through Hagerstown, Winchester, Leesburg, and Warrenton. The advisory areas may see frost formation as early as 2 a.m., with calm winds and clear skies enhancing cooling.
Travel conditions will remain dry but brisk. Morning commuters along I-70 and I-81 should be prepared for reduced visibility in patchy valley fog and icy windshields. Power demand is expected to rise overnight as heating systems kick in for the first time this fall. The National Weather Service advises residents to bring sensitive vegetation indoors, wrap exposed pipes, and ensure outdoor animals have shelter.
The chill will linger through midweek before a gradual rebound in temperatures by the weekend. Sunshine will dominate Thursday and Friday, but another cool front could bring renewed frost risk early next week.
