National Weather Service issues freeze warning for southwestern Illinois counties

The calendar soon will turn to May, but temperatures feel more in line with late fall and early winter as the National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for the metro-east.

The warning starts at 1 a.m. Monday and concludes at 9 a.m. Monday.

After reaching highs in the 70s and low 80s earlier this week, the area will see temperatures hovering around freezing or just below. According to the NWS, frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

The weather agency recommends taking steps now to protect “tender plants” from the cold.

“It’s probably smart to cover the plants,” Jared Maples, a meteorologist with the NWS of St. Louis said Sunday afternoon. “Any tender outdoor vegetation, either bring them inside or try to find different types of protective materials to protect them.

“If you have potted stuff outdoors that is pretty tender like new flowers, just bring them inside until tomorrow afternoon. Once we’re past the mid-morning period, it should be safe to set them back out.”

Maples noted the temperatures will not be near cold enough to have to unhook hoses.

Temperatures will rebound this week, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. A slight chance of rain exists later in the week.

This story was originally published April 23, 2023 at 4:08 PM.