Risk of frost for north Alabama this week could damage plants

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Oct. 15—It’s going to feel like fall in north Alabama with cold, dry weather taking over the forecast, a meteorologist said Monday, creating a risk of frost damage to some plants and also increasing the chances of fires.

Jeff Heidelberger, of the National Weather Service in Huntsville, said a cold front moved into the area late Sunday that will bring highs in the 60s and lows in the upper 30s this week.

Heidelberger said this brings a chance for frost Tuesday night and Wednesday night.

Lilly Oakes, homegrown regional extension agent for Alabama Cooperative Extension, said there’s a borderline chance that plants will suffer frost damage locally, with northeast Alabama more likely to have issues.

“Most things will be fine,” Oakes said. “The main concern will be the young plants like lettuce in a fall garden or if there are perennials that you want to extend their time. Most shrubs and trees will be fine.”

She said she wouldn’t worrying about protecting most plants during the fall “because many are naturally preparing to hibernate for the winter.” An early spring cold snap is when she would worry most about tender annuals that aren’t quite established.

However, Heidelberger said the cold might not be here to stay. The long-range forecast of the Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Service “favors above-normal temperatures” for the coming month.

“It may not get super cold yet, but things can always change,” Heidelberger said. “This is not unusual for north Alabama. This is a typical dry season in which temperatures vary. It will get warm again before it turns cold for good.”

The Weather Service reports the area hasn’t received any rain so far during the month of October. Decatur Fire & Rescue Chief Tracy Thornton said the city of Decatur has issued a burn ban. Morgan County and other surrounding areas currently do not have such a ban in place.

“You can still get a burn permit if you meet certain criteria,” Thornton said.

There are steps that people can take to protect plants from frost damage.

According to the Alabama Extension Service, loosely covering the plants with a lightweight fabric, such as a bed sheet, provides protection. This can add 3 to 5 degrees to the ambient air temperature, which can make the difference. Cloth material is more effective than a plastic covering because plastic transfers more heat, and foliage may freeze if it makes contact with a plastic covering. The goal is to trap the heat from the ground.

The Extension Service also suggests taking these steps to protect plants from a threat of frost:

—Weigh down the material used to cover the plants to prevent the wind from blowing it off the plants. Make sure there are no openings from which heat can escape.

—Make sure the plants are well watered. Plants that are lacking water are more vulnerable to frost damage. Also, wet soil retains heat longer and will slowly release it during a frost.

—Small, vulnerable plants — such as tomato and pepper plants — can be covered with a bucket, newspaper or gallon milk carton for protection. Under extreme circumstances, recently-planted transplants can be dug up, brought inside, and then replanted once the threat has passed.

The Extension Service warns that it is extremely important to remove the covering from plants each morning as temperatures increase. Keeping a cover on a plant that is in direct sunlight can cause heat damage to any new growth.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac says a light frost— 32 degrees and colder — kills all tender plants, such as tomatoes. Hardier plants such as spinach and kale will survive until a hard freeze at 28 degrees and colder. Even if air temperatures are as high as 38 degrees, frosts may occur on the ground and plants, so it’s better to protect plants just in case.

The Weather Service’s annual Fall Severe Weather Awareness Day is Wednesday. According to the NWS, fall severe weather season in Alabama typically runs from the beginning of November until mid-December. However, the season could begin in late October or last until late December.

NWS says 21% of tornadoes that occurred between 2001 and 2019 occurred during the fall severe weather season.

Thornton said his department becomes busier every fall with the onset of the first cold weather of the season.

“There’s always an uptick in house and structure fires,” Thornton said.

Thornton suggested residents hire a technician to look at and clean air conditioning units, heaters and heat strips. Space heaters should be kept at least 3 feet from combustible materials and be plugged directly into wall outlets, not an extension cord or power strip.

[email protected] or 256-340-2432

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