Freeze Alert Tonight: How Cold It Gets & What to Protect in Rowan County

After a stretch of spring-like warmth, Rowan County is getting a reminder that winter isn’t quite done yet.

Temperatures will drop near or below freezing tonight, creating a risk for early blooming plants and anything left unprotected outdoors.

How Cold Will It Get?

• Overnight lows will fall to around 31° across Rowan County

• Some colder pockets could briefly dip below freezing

• Calm winds and clearing skies will allow temperatures to fall quickly after sunset

This means several hours of conditions cold enough to cause damage to sensitive vegetation.

Why This Matters

Recent warm weather has already triggered early blooming across the area — including flowers, shrubs, and even some trees.

Tonight’s cold snap could:

• Damage or kill early blooms

• Impact garden plants and flowers

• Set back some early spring growth

What You Should Protect

If it can’t handle freezing temperatures, it needs protection tonight:

• Outdoor plants and flowers

• Garden seedlings

• Potted plants (especially on porches or decks)

• Sensitive vegetation that has already bloomed

Simple Ways to Protect Your Plants

You don’t need anything complicated — a few simple steps can make a big difference:

• Cover plants with sheets, blankets, or frost cloth

• Bring potted plants indoors if possible

• Water plants this afternoon (moist soil holds heat better)

• Avoid plastic coverings directly on plants if possible

What Happens Next?

The cold doesn’t stick around long.

A steady warming trend begins Thursday, with highs climbing into:

• The 60s Thursday

• The upper 60s to near 70 Friday

• The mid to upper 70s Saturday

• And low 80s by Sunday

The Bottom Line

Tonight is a short-term cold hit, but an important one.

If you’ve already started planting or noticed blooms around your home, take a few minutes this evening to protect them — it could save you from having to start over.

Warmer, more consistent spring weather is just a couple of days away.