On Wednesday at 4:35 p.m. the National Weather Service released a freeze watch valid for Saturday between midnight and 8 a.m. for Yuma, Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties.

“Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 degrees possible,” states the NWS. “Due to a warm early spring, green-up is occurring 2 to 4 weeks earlier than climatological normals and the growing season has begun.”

“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.”

Freeze watch or warning – this is what it means

Freeze warnings are issued 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