NWS
The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a freeze watch for much of central and south-central Kansas, including Saline County. The watch is in effect from late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, as sub-freezing temperatures could drop as low as 29 degrees in some areas.
The affected region includes cities such as Salina, McPherson, Hutchinson, Great Bend, and Marion, where residents should take precautions to protect sensitive plants, crops, and outdoor plumbing from potential frost and freeze damage.
The freeze watch highlights the risk to agricultural crops and any outdoor plants that may still be thriving in mid-October. Gardeners and farmers are encouraged to take preventive measures by covering plants or moving them indoors where possible. Additionally, outdoor pipes should be insulated or drained to avoid possible freezing and damage.
The freezing conditions are expected to develop late Tuesday night and continue through Wednesday morning.
FROST
Frost occurs when there is a solid deposition of water vapor from the air. Frost will form when solid surfaces are cooled below the dew point. An air temperature range of 33°- 36° (or colder), along with light winds, is usually needed to initiate frost formation. At least minor damage is possible to plants. One must keep in mind that frost is not guaranteed if the air is very dry and/or winds are roughly 8+ MPH.
FREEZE
Freeze occurs when the temperature drops to 32°-or-lower. A freeze will result in significant damage to many unprotected plants, especially if the temperature remains at-or-below freezing for several hours.