First Hard Freeze of the Season Targets the Southeast
A major blast of cold air is set to bring the Southeast its first widespread frost and freeze of autumn this weekend. Temperatures could plunge into the 20s in some areas, with several hours below freezing potentially ending the 2026 growing season. Cities including Atlanta and Raleigh could see lows near the freezing mark, while parts of northern Florida may experience their first frost. Garden flowers and vegetables are at risk, and residents are advised to move potted plants indoors. The cold could also bring the season's first accumulating snow to parts of the southern Appalachians, including western North Carolina and northern Georgia.
