Frost Advisory Issued For 6 Counties In Maryland

The National Weather Service issued a frost advisory for parts of Maryland. It is in effect from 2 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.

Temperatures will dip as low as 33 degrees during the advisory period, according to the National Weather Service.

When forecasters issue a frost advisory, they caution that sensitive outdoor vegetation left uncovered may die. People should take steps to protect plants from the cold before the frost advisory takes effect. See tips at the end of the article.

These areas in central, northwestern and northern Maryland are under the frost advisory:

• Baltimore County (northern), including Cockeysville
• Carroll County, including Eldersburg and Westminster
• Frederick County, including Ballenger Creek and Frederick
• Harford County (northwest), including Jarrettsville
• Howard County (northwest), including Columbia, Ellicott City and Lisbon
• Montgomery County (northwest, central and southeast), including Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring

Western Maryland is under a freeze warning. Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops and sensitive vegetation and could damage outdoor plumbing, according to the warning, which calls for a low there of 31 degrees.

Forecast

Here is the forecast for the Baltimore metro area through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service:

Friday, Oct. 18 — Sunny, with a high near 62 and low around 48 degrees. In areas under the frost advisory the high is 59 degrees, with a low of 33. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph.

Saturday, Oct. 19 — Sunny, with a high near 66 and low near 52 degrees.

Sunday, Oct. 20 — A chance of rain after 2 a.m., then rain likely between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Chance of daytime precipitation is 60%. High near 61 and low of 52 degrees.

Monday, Oct. 21 — Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Plant Protection

Here are some steps you can take when a frost or freeze threatens, according to TodaysHomeowner.com.

Bring Indoors: Frost-tender plants in containers should be brought inside during cold weather. Dig up tender bulbs and store them in a cool dry place.

Water Plants: Water plants thoroughly before a freeze to prevent desiccation and to add insulating water to the soil and plant cells.

Protect Tender Sprouts: Cover tender plants overnight with an inverted bucket or flower pot, or with a layer of mulch. Be sure to uncover them in the morning when the temperature rises above freezing.

Cover Shrubs and Trees: Larger plants can be covered with fabric, old bed sheets, burlap, or commercial frost cloths (avoid using plastic). For best results, drape the cover over a frame to keep it from touching the foliage. Fabric covers help to trap heat from the soil, so make sure your cover drapes to the ground. Uncover them in the morning when the temperature rises above freezing.

Patch editor Deb Belt contributed to this report.