Freeze Warning issued for D.C. area, signaling a chilly night ahead

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, as still-strong winds bring an unseasonable chill to the region.

Issued around noon, the warning will take effect at 2 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) and last until 9 a.m. According to the forecast for Reston, tonight will bring west wind speeds of seven to 13 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 22 miles per hour.

Here is the full alert from the NWS:

…FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 9 AM EDT FRIDAY…

* WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures around 30 degrees.

* WHERE…Portions of northern Maryland and northern and central Virginia near and west of Interstate 95, and portions of the eastern West Virginia panhandle.

* WHEN…From 2 AM to 9 AM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

For precautionary measures, the NWS advises taking steps to protect plants and outdoor pipes from the cold.

“To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly,” the NWS said. “Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.”

Image via NWS