EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A crisp fall chill will grip the lower Ohio Valley late tonight as temperatures drop into the mid-30s, bringing the season’s first frost risk to parts of southern Illinois and southwest Indiana by dawn Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a Frost Advisory is in effect from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. CDT Thursday for Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Hamilton, and White Counties in Illinois, along with Gibson, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer Counties in Indiana. Temperatures near 36°F, especially in sheltered valleys and rural areas, will allow frost to form on lawns, rooftops, and windshields.
The NWS said more widespread frost is expected again early Friday as clear skies and light winds persist. Gardeners and homeowners should cover tender plants and move potted flowers indoors. According to local emergency management agencies, residents should also check outdoor faucets and disconnect hoses ahead of the chill.
While this frost event is not expected to damage infrastructure, it could mark the end of the growing season for many agricultural areas along I-64. Motorists should plan extra time Thursday morning for defrosting windshields and slower travel on bridges that may become slick.
Daytime highs will rebound into the upper 50s and lower 60s by Friday afternoon, followed by a pleasant weekend with chilly nights and sunny afternoons typical of late October.
