Protect Your Plants! Upstate New York Gets Frost & Freeze Tonight

Sweater lovers have been rejoicing as temperatures in Upstate New York finally feel like fall. But with fall chills come fall frosts, so take note for plants and outdoor pets – the National Weather Service has issued Frost Advisories and even a Freeze Warning covering Upstate New York for tonight into Friday morning.

Everything from meteorologists to farmers to wooly worms are predicting an unusually cold winter for Upstate, and tonight may be one of our first tastes of what’s to come. Here's what you need to know for tonight:

Putting Upstate Plants On Ice

Get our free mobile app

The NWS defines a freeze warning as “temperatures of 32F or colder for several hours over a widespread area during growing season.” A frost warning involves “temperatures of 33 to 36F with clear skies and light winds over a widespread area during growing season.”

To protect any outdoor plants from frost, you can cover them with sheets, cardboard, a hard shelled container, or tarp. Air temperature cools rapidly after sunset, so cover plants before dark.

Where Are The Frost and Freeze Warnings in Upstate?

The Southern Adirondacks and other elevated areas are getting the Freeze Warning, while the Frost Advisory is widespread. Albany is right on the edge of the Frost Advisory in a gap, receiving a little extra protection from the Hudson River.

The Capital Region has average September highs and lows of 75 and 54. In October, those averages drop to 62 and 43. While overnight lows will be lower than average, a frost tonight wouldn't be too early. According to Cornell, the first fall frost in Albany typically occurs around October 3^rd.