Weather Alerts Signal Heat and Frost Impacts

As millions face heat advisories across the South on Monday, five states received frost advisories. This highlights the season’s first potential hard freeze as temperatures continue to soar elsewhere.

Heat Advisories Spread Across the South

Heat advisories affected Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. These advisories are part of a trend that brought some of the warmest temperatures on record in various cities nationwide.

The National Weather Service’s (NWS) Climate Prediction Center forecasts above-average temperatures for most of the U.S. through late September.

Frost Advisories Forecast Cold Conditions

In contrast, NWS offices in Pocatello, Idaho; Gray, Maine (also covering New Hampshire); and Burlington, Vermont (also covering New York) issued frost advisories for Tuesday morning, with temperatures expected to reach the low 30s.

This marks the first advisory of the season for these locations. In Maine, meteorologist Cameron Barker indicated additional frost advisories might follow. Analyzing data from the National Centers for Environmental Information, these cold spells align with climatic norms.

First Freeze Dates and Their Impact

Northern states typically see earlier first freezes, but high-elevation areas in the South might also experience early dates.

Average first freezes can occur by August 31 in some regions. Factors like elevation cause variability in freeze dates across states.

Frost can occur without sub-freezing air temperatures. Near-ground temperatures can be 5 degrees cooler due to radiational cooling, potentially damaging vegetation and affecting outdoor animals.

NWS Cold Weather Alerts Explained

The NWS issues several cold temperature alerts. Frost advisories apply when temperatures range between 33 and 36 degrees on clear nights, potentially forming frost. Freeze warnings indicate the likelihood of widespread freezing temperatures. Both alerts aim to protect crops and plants from damage.

Other alerts include winter weather advisories, winter storm warnings, and extreme cold warnings.

Frost Advisories in Specific Regions

Maine: The frost advisory is active from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tuesday, predicting frost formation at temperatures as low as 33 degrees in Oxford County.

New Hampshire: Similarly, Coos County faces the same advisory during these hours.

Vermont: The advisory affects Essex County, with potential frost as temperatures drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

New York: Franklin, Clinton, and Essex counties are under the advisory issued by NWS Burlington.

Idaho: From 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday, areas such as St. Anthony, Shelley, Idaho Falls, and other cities, expect low temperatures reaching 34 degrees, prompting the frost advisory.