A sudden plunge in temperatures is forecast for four states in the central U.S., prompting meteorologists to issue a slew of freeze warnings on Monday.
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued freeze warnings for seven states on Monday, with some of those states expecting temperatures as high as around 30 degrees in hours overnight.
Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota are the states expecting the most severe drop in temperatures. During the day on Monday, temperatures were in the upper 50s and low 60s for each of those regions, with the forecast expecting temperatures to drop as low as the 20s overnight. Most freeze warnings were expected to go into effect in the overnight hours.
NWS meteorologist Michael Connelly told Newsweek that it’s “very common” for the Aberdeen, South Dakota, area to see temperatures dropping this low this time of year.
“We are very close to what would be the normal end of the growing season,” he said.
On Wednesday, temperatures are expected to inch back up in some of the affected areas.
“Fall is a season of ups and downs! Expect another hard freeze tonight, with a cool start to the week before temperatures go back above normal,” the NWS office in Aberdeen, South Dakota, posted on X, formerly Twitter. “With strong south winds these warmer temperatures come with increased fire danger.”
Minnesota, North Dakota and Michigan also had freeze warnings in place. Temperatures were expected to drop 20 to 25 degrees overnight.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the NWS freeze warning said. “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to drip slowly.”
In addition to freeze warnings, NWS meteorologists issued various other cold weather-related advisories.
Stock image of crops covered in frost. Several states will see a 30-degree drop in temperatures in hours on Monday night.
fotomem/Getty
A freeze watch has been issued by NWS offices in Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. NWS offices in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Missouri, South Carolina, Maryland, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois also issued a frost advisory.
Frost forms when temperatures are cold enough to freeze dew into ice. Temperatures must be at 32 degrees or below, but frost can still crystallize even if outside temperatures are above freezing because temperatures can be as much as 10 degrees colder close to the ground.
The chilly temperatures come as AccuWeather issued its 2024-2025 winter forecast for the United States. Much of the U.S., including the central, southern and eastern regions, expects temperatures slightly above normal during the winter.
Below-normal temperatures are forecast for the Northwest, including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. This winter also is expected to bring multiple atmospheric rivers to the West Coast, namely California.
