A Freeze Watch is in effect for 33 counties in Virginia and North Carolina as temperatures could fall to 30 degrees.
The watch runs from late Friday night through Saturday morning, according to bulletins from NWS Wakefield and NWS Raleigh.
Counties under the watch
In Virginia (17): Richmond, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Charles City, New Kent, Greensville, Sussex, Surry, James City, Southampton, Hanover, Chesterfield, Henrico, King William, King and Queen and Essex. The independent cities of Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell and others in those areas are also included.
In North Carolina (16): Northampton and Hertford (NWS Wakefield), plus Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Franklin, Davidson, Randolph and Chatham (NWS Raleigh).
Cities include Richmond, Petersburg, Williamsburg, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham and Chapel Hill.
What to expect
Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 are possible. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
The Weekend Outlook shows a freeze likely inland Saturday night with lows of 26 to 32 inland and 33 to 38 near the coast.
A sharp cooldown
Highs reached the 60s and low 70s ahead of the cold front. Friday turns breezy and much cooler, with highs of 53 to 58 in Virginia.
Saturday is chilly and dry, with highs of 50 to 55 in Virginia.
How to protect plants and pipes
Bring in tender plants or cover them. NWS Raleigh also urges people to protect pipes by letting them drip slowly.
Get updates at weather.gov/akq and weather.gov/rah.
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