Freeze warning issued with lows near 32

A cold night ahead with frost and freeze concerns through Wednesday morning.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Don’t let Tuesday’s sunshine fool you because much colder air is moving in as a secondary cold front sweep through the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for many areas just north of Charlotte. This warning is in effect from midnight through 9 a.m. Wednesday, and it includes cities such as Lincolnton, Statesville, Hickory, Salisbury, Ablemarle, Taylorsville, and Morganton.

Overnight low temperatures are expected to drop close to 32 degrees in these areas — cold enough to damage or kill sensitive vegetation if left unprotected. The Charlotte area will see temperatures drop to the mid-30s with patchy frost a concern.

Meanwhile, even colder air will settle into the North Carolina mountains, where lows could fall into the mid-20s by early Wednesday morning.

However, a Freeze Warning has not been issued for the higher elevations, as the growing season up there hasn’t officially begun. That means there’s currently no widespread risk to agriculture in those locations — but it’s still going to feel more like winter than spring.

The National Weather Service only issues Freeze Warnings when impacts are expected to crops and vegetation.

What You Can Do

If you’ve already planted flowers, vegetables, or brought home springtime plants from the nursery, you’ll want to take action now to protect them. Here are a few quick tips:

Bring potted plants indoors or into a garage.
Cover in-ground plants with lightweight sheets, burlap, or frost blankets — avoid using plastic directly on plants.
Water the soil before nightfall. Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, which can help insulate the roots.

And don’t forget about your pets! While we’ve had warm days lately, freezing overnight temperatures can be dangerous for animals left outdoors. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.

Looking Ahead

After this quick burst of chilly air, we’ll rebound into the upper 30s to middle 40s by Thursday. But this is a good reminder that early April can still deliver a late-season freeze — especially north of the metro and in rural areas.

Stay warm tonight, and keep those tender plants (and pets!) safe.

Contact Bekah Birdsall at rbirdsall@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.