Charleston, WV – Residents across central Appalachia should prepare for a sharp drop in temperatures as a freeze warning goes into effect overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, the alert spans from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. EDT Sunday and includes portions of northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, and much of central to western West Virginia. Temperatures are expected to plunge as low as 29°F, particularly in sheltered valleys away from major rivers.
Officials warn that the freeze could kill sensitive plants and crops if left unprotected. Gardeners and farmers across cities like Charleston, Parkersburg, Athens, and Ashland are urged to take precautionary steps Saturday evening. Covering plants and checking exposed outdoor plumbing are strongly advised to reduce damage risks.
This unseasonably cold spell comes after several warmer days, raising the potential for frost injury to early vegetation. Freeze warnings in April are not uncommon in the region, though the late timing could catch some growers off guard.
Affected counties include Kanawha, Cabell, Putnam, Athens, Lawrence, Gallia, and Boyd, among others. The most vulnerable areas are valleys lacking river influence, where cold air tends to settle.
