On Wednesday at 12:42 p.m. the National Weather Service released a frost advisory valid for Thursday between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. The advisory is for Southern Salinas Valley/Arroyo Seco and Lake San Antonio, Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest and Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County Including Pinnacles National Park.

The NWS says to expect, “Temperatures as low as 32 degrees will result in frost formation.”

“Cold conditions will be hazardous to sensitive populations such as unhoused individuals. Cold conditions can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure,” comments the NWS. “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”

Frost advisory – this is what it means

Frost advisories are issued from May to October (but can be extended if necessary) when temperatures, winds, and sky cover are favorable for frost development. This is most likely to happen when the temperature is 36 degrees or less. In some cases, the frost is severe enough to end the growing season and is then referred to as a ‘killing frost’.

According to the NWS, if a frost advisory is issued for your area, cover up sensitive plants before the sun sets so that it can help retain heat near the plants, or move the plants indoors for the night, if possible.

Source: The National Weather Service