First Frost Advisory Of The Season Issued For Northern Virginia

MCLEAN, VA — Overnight temperatures may bring frost to parts of northern Virginia, which will kill or damage plants that aren't brought indoors or covered, the National Weather Service says.The agency has issued the first frost advisory of the season for the region, which includes much of NoVA but not Washington, D.C.

"High pressure will settle overhead tonight, bringing chilly conditions," the National Weather Service said. "Freezing temperatures may kill remaining tender vegetation."

The advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday with low temperatures of 33 to 36 degrees predicted.

Areas included in the frost advisory are: Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Stafford, Fauquier, Loudoun, Dale City, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Falmouth, Warrenton, Purcellville, Leesburg, Ashburn, and Sterling.

If you're a gardener, then you've harvested most of your bounty by now, but there are several frost hardy plants that can survive even if the overnight temperatures drop to 28 degrees. So, leeks, scallions, chives, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, parsley, beets, carrots, winter squash, pumpkins and sage should be OK, according to the Vegetable Gardener website.

Here are some steps you can take when a frost or freeze threatens, according to TodaysHomeowner.com.

• Bring Indoors: Frost-tender plants in containers should be brought inside during cold weather. Dig up tender bulbs and store them in a cool dry place.
• Water Plants: Water plants thoroughly before a freeze to prevent desiccation and to add insulating water to the soil and plant cells.
• Protect Tender Sprouts: Cover tender plants overnight with an inverted bucket or flower pot, or with a layer of mulch. Be sure to uncover them in the morning when the temperature rises above freezing.
• Cover Shrubs and Trees: Larger plants can be covered with fabric, old bed sheets, burlap, or commercial frost cloths (avoid using plastic). For best results, drape the cover over a frame to keep it from touching the foliage. Fabric covers help to trap heat from the soil, so make sure your cover drapes to the ground. Uncover them in the morning when the temperature rises above freezing.

Here's the weekend forecast:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Friday Night: Areas of frost after 2am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Saturday: Areas of frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Rain likely after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 50. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Sunday: Rain likely, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.