Just when it felt safe to put the winter coats away and start thinking about planting petunias, a chilly twist in the forecast is giving folks across the Mid-South a reason to pause.
If you live in northeast Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel, or western Tennessee, you’ll want to keep an eye on the thermometer tonight — and maybe grab an old sheet or two.
The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory from 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM Tuesday, with temperatures expected to drop into the low-to-mid 30s. That’s cold enough for patchy frost to settle in — and cold enough to do some damage to your springtime greens.
“We Just Put Those Tomatoes In!”
Many gardeners — from Memphis to Jonesboro — are feeling a bit blindsided.
“We just put those tomatoes in the ground last weekend,” said Melissa Grant, a backyard grower outside of Jackson, TN. “Now we’re out here digging through closets for old blankets to throw over the beds.”
Sound familiar? If you’ve started planting or if flowers are already blooming around your home, this is your heads-up to cover them tonight, just in case.
Not Just for Plants…
It’s not just your begonias and bell peppers that could feel the chill. If you’ve got outdoor pets, make sure they’ve got a warm, dry place to snuggle in overnight — or better yet, bring them inside if you can.
Rural residents should also check on older neighbors or anyone without reliable heating, especially if they live in low-lying areas where the frost tends to settle in heavier.
Areas Included in the Advisory
If you’re in any of these areas, you’re in the frost zone:
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Northeast Arkansas (Jonesboro, Paragould, Pocahontas)
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The Missouri Bootheel (Caruthersville, Kennett)
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West Tennessee (Memphis, Jackson, Dyersburg)
A Cold Morning, Then a Bounce Back
The good news? This won’t last long.
Once the sun comes up Tuesday morning, temperatures will climb back into the 50s and 60s, and the rest of the week looks more spring-like — with milder mornings and sunny afternoons.
This is likely one of the last real frosts of the season… but as always, the weather has its own way of keeping us humble.
Quick Checklist Before Bed:
Cover your plants
Bring in pets or give them extra shelter
Unhook any garden hoses
Check in on neighbors who might need a hand
So before you get cozy tonight, take a quick walk around the yard — your garden (and maybe your neighbor’s too) will thank you for it come sunrise.
