First Rain, then Frost/Freeze Conditions: Mar 23-25 2024
in collaboration with AWIS Weather Services
Dear all,
The upcoming days can very well become challening in some areas. RAIN is moving into the area from Southeast, starting Friday (Mar 22) mid-day and lasting until Saturday (Mar 23) in Mid-Atlantic, VA and parts of NC.
Air temperatures will warm up intermediately in the night from Friday to Saturday. However, after this rain front, cold air from Eastern Canada is moving into the area fast.
Critical conditions to protect strawberry blossoms will occur in most of the region between Sat, Mar 23 and Tuesday, Mar 25 (see figures).
Row covers should be secured to the ground (wind!). In most areas there might be enough time for rowcovers after the rain to dry before entering in the cold night.Timeline:
Mar 22 - 23: Rain will affect the entire area and a short-lived increase in temperatures. If rowcovers are already deployed, please leave them on.
Mar 23 - 24: First Critical Night:
Rain will stop. Wind from North/Northeast will bring cold air. Frost conditions can be expected in almost all regions (GA, SC, NC, VA and the mid-Atlantic). Row-covers should be secured and tight to the ground. Sprinklers might fail due to wind gusts.
In areas in which dew-points are boderline dangerous (mostly Southern GA and parts of Coastal SC), it might be better to leave off the covers due to the wind.
Mar 24 - 25: Scond Critical Night:
Wind will slowdown somewhat. Frost conditions still in place for most of NC, Northern GA/SC, VA and mid-Atlantic)
Mar 25 – 27: Frost condition will prevail in parts of the region (see maps and forecast tables).
We will update this on Monday again.
Please find your regional weather forecast in below tables. Be safe.
