CHICAGO, Ill. – The first frost of the fall season is set to blanket parts of northwest Indiana late tonight into early Thursday morning, prompting a Frost Advisory from the National Weather Service in Chicago. Temperatures will tumble into the lower to mid-30s before sunrise, potentially damaging unprotected vegetation across Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Benton counties.
According to the National Weather Service Chicago, the advisory remains in effect from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. CDT Thursday, with the coldest readings expected inland, away from the moderating influence of Lake Michigan. Areas closer to the lakefront, including Gary and Portage, may stay just warm enough to avoid frost. However, Roselawn, Rensselaer, DeMotte, and Fowler are all expected to experience widespread frost formation.
The agency cautioned that sensitive plants could be harmed or killed if left uncovered. Residents are urged to bring potted plants indoors, cover garden beds with cloth, and disconnect outdoor hoses to prevent damage. Drivers may also encounter light frost on windshields during the early commute hours.
While the Chicago metro will stay a few degrees warmer, patchy frost remains possible in low-lying and rural parts of northeastern Illinois. Temperatures will rebound into the 50s Thursday afternoon before another chilly night returns Friday.
According to forecasters, the region’s first widespread freeze could arrive later this month as longer nights allow colder air to settle more efficiently across interior counties.
