St. Louis, MO – A surge of arctic air sweeping across the Central U.S. has triggered widespread freeze warnings, placing millions from Texas to Indiana under cold weather alerts through Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to fall into the mid-to-upper 20s overnight Sunday and Monday across large portions of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Arkansas, and Texas. Freeze Warnings are in effect from 11 p.m. Sunday through 9 a.m. Monday, with Freeze Watches extending into early Tuesday.
Cities affected include St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Dallas, and Springfield, MO. Sub-freezing conditions could damage unprotected outdoor plumbing and kill sensitive plants as the region experiences an unseasonably late cold snap.
Residents are advised to cover or bring in tender vegetation and ensure outdoor pipes are insulated. Pet owners should also provide warm, dry shelter. Agricultural interests in the affected zones should take precautions to avoid crop damage.
This cold front comes after several weeks of spring-like conditions. Experts note these temperatures are 10–20 degrees below average for early April, raising concerns for early-blooming crops and gardens across the region.
Additional freeze alerts may be issued as temperatures remain low into Wednesday in some areas.
