Lancaster, OH – Residents across central Ohio and northern Kentucky should prepare for a sharp overnight temperature drop as a freeze warning takes effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. EDT Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, temperatures are expected to fall as low as 31°F during the early morning hours, potentially endangering unprotected plants and outdoor plumbing. The warning covers Lewis County in Kentucky, and several Ohio counties including Fairfield, Hocking, Licking, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Scioto.
Cities such as Lancaster, Newark, Chillicothe, Portsmouth, and surrounding rural areas are all within the advisory zone. Officials urge homeowners to cover tender plants, drain irrigation systems, and insulate exposed pipes to avoid weather-related damage.
This freeze event comes after a stretch of mild spring temperatures, which may have encouraged early planting. Forecasters caution that these types of late-season freezes, while not uncommon, can be especially damaging after early blooms or planting activity.
Historically, similar April freezes have led to agricultural losses in the region. Gardeners and farmers are advised to monitor conditions closely and avoid watering plants before the freeze, as wet soil can exacerbate root damage.
