Charleston, WV – Sub-freezing temperatures will spread across nearly a dozen states overnight, threatening crops, gardens, and exposed plumbing before sunrise Tuesday, with some areas dropping as low as 26°F.
According to the National Weather Service, widespread Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories are in effect from the Midwest through the Mid-Atlantic, with the most immediate impact between 1 a.m. and 10 a.m. Tuesday. States affected include West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
The hardest hit region stretches across the Ohio Valley, where cities like Charleston, Huntington, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis could see temperatures fall between 26°F and 31°F. Rural valleys and low-lying areas in eastern Kentucky and southeast Ohio may briefly dip below freezing, increasing the risk of widespread frost formation. In central Illinois, a Freeze Watch signals possible 30°F lows by early Tuesday, while a second wave of colder air could push East Coast temperatures down to 24°F late Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Transportation agencies warn that elevated roadways, including bridges on I-64, I-70, and I-75, could briefly ice over before sunrise. Agricultural impacts are expected to be significant, especially for early spring crops and fruit trees already in bloom.
Residents should cover plants, bring sensitive vegetation indoors, and insulate outdoor pipes. The cold snap eases after mid-morning Tuesday, but additional freeze alerts may follow into midweek as clear skies allow temperatures to drop again overnight.
