Frost Advisory Issued for Early Tuesday Morning Across North Carolina

Published: April 20, 2026 – Early Morning Update

A Frost Advisory has been issued for portions of North Carolina, including areas near Rowan, Davie, and Davidson Counties, as temperatures drop into the 30s early Tuesday morning.

This is a result of clear skies, light winds, and dry air settling in behind the recent cold front — creating ideal conditions for frost development.

When to Expect Frost

• Central NC (Piedmont & Coastal Plain):
  2 AM to 8 AM Tuesday
• Western NC (Foothills & Mountains):
  Midnight to 9 AM Tuesday

What to Expect

• Temperatures falling into the lower to mid 30s
• Frost developing in rural, low-lying, and sheltered areas
• Less frost likely in urban areas where temperatures stay slightly warmer

While not everyone will see frost, many locations — especially outside city centers — could experience patchy to areas of frost by sunrise Tuesday.

Impacts

Frost can:

• Damage or kill sensitive plants and early garden growth
• Impact flowers, vegetables, and other outdoor vegetation

Who Is Most at Risk

• Rural areas
• Open fields and valleys
• Locations away from urban heat

What You Should Do

Take steps now to protect your plants:

• Cover sensitive vegetation
• Bring potted plants indoors if possible
• Protect outdoor plumbing if needed

Why This Is Happening

Behind the recent cold front:

• Skies clear out
• Winds become light
• Dry air allows temperatures to fall quickly overnight

This setup leads to efficient radiational cooling, allowing frost to form even in mid-April.

Looking Ahead

After the chilly start Tuesday morning:

• Temperatures rebound quickly into the 70s Tuesday afternoon
• 80s return by midweek
• Dry weather continues

Bottom Line

• Frost Advisory in effect early Tuesday morning
• Temperatures in the low to mid 30s
• Frost most likely in rural areas
• Protect sensitive plants