At 10:31 p.m. on Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a freeze warning valid for Friday between midnight and 9 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 20s to lower 30s,” can be anticipated according to the NWS. “The coldest temperatures will occur Friday night into Saturday morning which may bring an end to the growing season with a prolonged period of subfreezing temperatures.”

“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” explains the NWS. “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.”

What to do if there is a freeze watch or warning

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