A freeze watch was released by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 12:19 a.m. valid for Friday between midnight and 8 a.m. for Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range below 7,500 ft, Colorado Springs Vicinity/Southern El Paso County/Rampart Range below 7,400 ft, Western Kiowa County and Eastern Kiowa County.

“Sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20 to lower 30s possible,” comments the NWS. “The coldest readings are most likely to occur across northern El Paso county.”

“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” adds the NWS. “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”

Freeze watch or warning – this is what it means

Freeze warnings are issued from from May to October (but can be extended if necessary), when low temperatures are expected to be 29-32 degrees. If there is a potential for temperatures to fall into these thresholds, a freeze watch may be issued a few days ahead of time.

According to the NWS, if a freeze warning or watch is issued for your area, there is little you can do to protect plants. If you can move your sensitive plants inside, do so because the freeze will likely kill them, depending on the severity of conditions.

Source: The National Weather Service