Think frost season is over just because it’s June? Think again. Western Garrett County, Maryland, is under a rare summer-like freeze warning, with temperatures expected to fall to a bone-chilling 34°F by early Monday morning. That’s cold enough to seriously damage or completely kill off any warm-weather plants you’ve got in the ground. If you’re a gardener, farmer, or anyone with vegetables or flowers outdoors — this is not the night to ignore the weather.
According to the National Weather Service, a Frost Advisory is in effect through 8 a.m. Monday, and with skies staying clear and winds going calm, the stage is set for classic radiational cooling — the kind of setup that spells trouble for sensitive plants.
Where’s the Frost Hitting in Maryland?
This warning zeroes in on western Garrett County, Maryland’s coldest and highest-elevation region. If you live near:
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Grantsville
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Friendsville
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Bittinger
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Finzel
…you’re in the frost zone. Even if your town’s temperature reads slightly above freezing, it’s what’s happening right at ground level — in your garden beds and planters — that matters most. Frost can form even when air temperatures hover around 35–36°F if the ground cools faster than the air above it.
Why the Frost? What’s Causing This in June?
You’re not wrong to be confused — June frost is definitely rare. But it happens, especially in higher elevations like western Garrett County, where the terrain holds cold air longer.
What’s happening tonight is all about a strong high-pressure system moving in from Canada. This system brings clear skies, dry air, and little to no wind — perfect conditions for the day’s warmth to escape quickly after sunset. That leaves surface temperatures plummeting, even if the rest of the region stays mild.
The science behind this is called radiational cooling, and it’s how frost forms when we least expect it. If your plants are uncovered and unprepared, this quiet, sneaky process can wipe them out before you even wake up.
What Plants Are in the Danger Zone?
A single night like this can destroy tender plants, even if the frost only lasts a few hours. You should be especially worried if you’ve planted:
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Tomatoes, peppers, squash, or cucumbers
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Basil, dill, or any soft-leaf herbs
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Petunias, begonias, or other summer annuals
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Newly sprouted seedlings or freshly transplanted crops
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Fruit trees that have recently blossomed
Even hardy plants can suffer damage if left uncovered. A thin layer of frost can burn leaves, split stems, or stop fruiting altogether.
Here’s What You Can Do to Protect Your Garden Tonight
Don’t worry — if you act now, you can still protect your garden from disaster. Here’s what to do before bed tonight:
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Bring potted plants indoors, or move them into a shed or garage.
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Cover everything you can — especially low-growing vegetables and flowers. Use lightweight fabric, bed sheets, or specialized frost blankets.
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Avoid using plastic directly on plants — it can trap condensation and cause freezer burn.
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Water your soil before sunset. Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil and can keep the air around your plants slightly warmer.
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If you can’t cover everything, prioritize the most sensitive plants or the ones you’ve invested the most time in.
Set an alarm to remove covers after sunrise, once the frost threat has passed — usually by 8 a.m.
What Happens After This Night?
The good news? This won’t last all week. Temperatures are expected to bounce back into the 60s and 70s by Monday afternoon. But this isn’t necessarily a one-and-done situation — if skies stay clear, frost could return over the next few nights, especially in valleys and rural zones.
Garrett County, because of its elevation and terrain, has one of the latest frost dates in the Mid-Atlantic. So while the rest of Maryland enjoys summer, western counties still need to think like it’s early spring.
Final Word: One Chill Can Ruin a Whole Season — Don’t Let It Happen to You
You’ve worked hard planting, prepping, and nurturing your garden. Don’t let one unexpected frost undo it all. This isn’t fear-mongering — it’s just reality in the mountains. A 34° reading in the forecast can easily become 31° at ground level, and by the time the sun rises, it’s too late to fix it.
So grab your blankets, set a reminder, and give your plants a fighting chance. Tomorrow, they’ll thank you for it.
