SEATTLE, Wash. – The first widespread frost of the fall season will settle over parts of western Washington before sunrise Wednesday, threatening gardens and unprotected plants from Tacoma to the Olympic Peninsula.
According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, a Frost Advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT Wednesday for the lowlands of Pierce and southern King counties, the Willapa and Black Hills, and coastal and strait areas from Bremerton to Neah Bay. Temperatures are expected to dip into the upper 20s and mid-30s under clear skies and calm winds.
The chill will be most noticeable in outlying valleys and sheltered lowlands, including Kent, Renton, Silverdale, Sequim, and Clallam Bay, where frost could easily form on rooftops, windshields, and lawns. Along U.S. Highway 101 near Lake Crescent and Forks, road frost may also briefly develop before sunrise.
The NWS advises residents to cover sensitive vegetation, bring potted plants indoors, and disconnect outdoor hoses to prevent freeze damage. Pet owners should ensure animals have warm shelter overnight. Drivers on I-5 and U.S. 101 may encounter slick patches early Wednesday morning before temperatures rebound into the 50s by afternoon.
While the cold snap will be short-lived, another round of chilly nights could return later this week as clear skies persist behind a weak ridge of high pressure. Gardeners and commuters alike should plan for another possible frost through early Friday.
