The National Weather Service issued freeze warnings early Tuesday, Oct. 7 for several central and west-central Wisconsin counties.
The warnings were issued by the the National Weather Service in Twin Cities-Chanhassen and the National Weather Service in Green Bay. The warnings apply to Polk, Barron, Rusk, Marathon, Shawano, Wood and Portage counties.
The warning for Barron, Polk and Rusk counties extends from midnight Oct. 7 to 8 a.m. Oct. 8. The warning for Marathon, Shawano, Wood and Portage counties is for 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Oct. 8.
The NWS warns: “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
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What are NWS meteorologists saying?
Early in the morning Oct. 7, the NWS issued a statement including the following information:
What: Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 expected.
Where: In Barron, Polk, Rusk, Marathon, Shawano, Wood and Portage counties.
Impacts: Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
What is a freeze watch, warning, and frost advisory?
Freeze and frost advisories are primarily a threat to crops and plants. Here’s what each one means:
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A Freeze Warning is issued when temperatures are forecasted to go below 32 degrees for a long period of time, the office says. That would kill some commercial crops and house plants, and temperatures below 28 degrees can kill most plants.
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A Freeze Watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24 to 36 hours, according to the office. A Freeze Watch is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season and in the spring at the start of the growing season.
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A Frost Advisory means areas of frost are expected, posing a threat to sensitive plants.
How to protect plants in freezing temperatures
Here’s what you can to do protect your plants from damage, according to NWS:
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Bring any potted plants into your garage or house
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Cover plants before the night. You can use commercial frost cloth, bed sheets or blankets, or an inverted bucket or container.
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Plants low to the ground may be covered with straw or other mulch.
This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Freeze warnings issued for several Wisconsin counties by NWS
