You thought it was safe to plant your tomatoes — but West Virginia’s weather just said, “Not so fast.” In a move that feels more like late March than early June, parts of the Mountain State are bracing for an unexpected frost advisory as temperatures plunge to near freezing overnight. Specifically, Randolph and Pocahontas counties are under warning until 8 a.m. Monday, and if you’ve got tender plants in the ground, they’re at serious risk of damage — or worse, total loss.
Here’s Where the Frost Will Hit
The advisory, issued by the National Weather Service, targets the higher-elevation interior valleys of Randolph and Pocahontas counties — areas well-known for holding cold air even when surrounding locations are relatively warm.
Forecasts show overnight lows hitting 34°F (1°C), and due to clear skies and light wind, frost is expected to form on exposed surfaces and vegetation. If your home sits in a valley, near a creek, or on low ground, your risk is even higher.
But It’s June — How Is Frost Still a Thing?
It may feel bizarre, but yes — frost in June is absolutely possible, especially in West Virginia’s mountain counties.
Here’s why: a Canadian high-pressure system has pushed into the region, clearing the skies and calming the winds. That combination creates what meteorologists call radiational cooling — when the day’s warmth escapes into the atmosphere overnight, especially in valleys. Without cloud cover to trap heat, surface temperatures fall fast. So even if the air temperature is 36–38°F, the ground and plants can cool below freezing.
This setup leads to patchy frost, which is exactly what’s being forecast tonight. You won’t see it on your windshield, but you’ll see it on your leaves — curled, blackened, and damaged by morning.
What’s at Risk? Your Hard Work Could Be Gone in One Night
If you’ve already planted warm-weather crops or flowers — like most people do in late May — you need to pay attention. Plants that are especially vulnerable include:
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Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers
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Basil, mint, cilantro, and other delicate herbs
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Recently transplanted flowers or annuals
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Fruit trees with tender blossoms or young leaves
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Grapes, beans, and corn shoots
Frost kills by rupturing plant cells, leaving behind a mushy, wilted mess. You often won’t notice until after the sun hits the damage — when it’s too late to save anything.
Here’s What You Should Do — Tonight
You still have time to protect your plants, but don’t wait until the morning. The damage happens while you’re asleep. Here are a few fast but effective steps:
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Move potted plants indoors, or into a garage or shed if possible.
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Cover garden beds with sheets, thin blankets, or purpose-built frost cloth. Drape the cover loosely and secure it so it doesn’t blow off.
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Don’t use plastic directly on plants — it can trap moisture and cause freezing burns unless it’s elevated off the foliage.
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Water the soil lightly before sundown. Moist soil retains more heat than dry soil and can help keep the immediate environment slightly warmer.
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If you’re up early, gently remove covers just after sunrise to let plants warm up naturally.
Even a few degrees of protection can mean the difference between a live tomato plant and a soggy stalk of regret.
What Happens After This?
Luckily, this frost event looks short-lived. Temperatures are expected to rebound quickly Monday afternoon, with highs in the 60s and 70s across most of the state.
But this event is a wake-up call — especially for those living in West Virginia’s high elevations or cool hollows. Another clear night could bring frost again. This means it’s smart to hold onto those covers and be frost-ready for a few more nights, just in case.
Final Word: June Isn’t Always Safe for Gardens in the Highlands
This late-season frost might not last long, but the damage could. It’s easy to forget that in parts of West Virginia — especially Randolph and Pocahontas counties — the growing season starts weeks later than in flatter, lower regions.
So if you’ve put your trust in the calendar, it’s time to trust your thermometer instead. Tonight, it’s all about action. Protect what you planted — because one freak cold snap can erase months of work in a single night.
