The National Weather Service office in Peachtree City GA announced today that due to the very warm temperatures in February leading to an early onset of the growing season, they are starting their spring frost/freeze warning program to help producers plan for frost protection. Here is what they said:
Frost and/or Freeze-related Watches and Warnings are ACTIVE for all north and central Georgia counties with the exception of the northeast Georgia mountain counties (Fannin, Union, Towns, White, Lumpkin, Dawson, Pickens and Gilmer). For these 8 counties, Frost and Freeze-related products will become active on April 1 which is approximately 2 weeks earlier than usual.
Surrounding NWS offices (Birmingham, Huntsville in Alabama — and Columbia in South Carolina) are also beginning their respective Frost/Freeze programs early as well.
As a reminder, below are the specific Frost/Freeze product definitions that NWS Peachtree City follows. NOTE: NWS Peachtree City does not issue Hard Freeze Watches and/or Warnings like some of our neighboring offices.
- A Freeze Watch is issued when there is at least a 50 percent chance for minimum temperatures at or below 32 degrees during the growing season, and is can be issued up to 48 hours in advance of the occurrence.
- A Freeze Warning is issued when there is at least an 80 percent chance for minimum temperatures at or below 32 degrees during the growing season, and is typically issued up to 24 hours in advance of the occurrence.
- A Frost Advisory is issued when there is at least an 80 percent chance for minimum temperatures to drop generally between 33 and 37 degrees and widespread frost is expected during the growing season, and is typically issued within 24 hours of the occurrence.
Source: Commons Wikimedia
