The average low temperature was Wednesday is 39, but we should be way below that value! I am expecting overnight temperatures to drop into the middle 20s area wide through Wednesday morning. This would mean that a “hard freeze” will be possible. A hard freeze has varying definitions in differnt parts of the country. Locally, a hard freeze is when we can expect temperatures to drop at or below 26 degrees for a duration of 4 hours or longer. That could indeed be the case for many spots by Wednesday morning. Here are a few expected low temperatures:

Chattanooga: 25
Cleveland: 25
Dalton: 25
Lafayette, GA: 24
Dayton: 24
Athens: 24
Blue Ridge: 23
Monteagle: 22
Lookout Mountain: 22
Signal Mountain: 22
(upper 10s at higher elevations 3000 ft and above east of the city)

So, what do you need to do during a hard freeze? Be sure to heat your home safely. make sure any space heaters have no obstructions or nearby flammable materials. Protect any tender plants. Provide your pets with a warm place to sleep and water in a location that won’t freeze. Check on your elderly friends and family to be sure that they are staying warm.

After Wednesday morning, morning temperatures should not be quite as cold Thursday and Friday (but still below freezing). We could experience temperatures in the 20s again Saturday morning. Below normal temperatures should continue through the upcoming weekend, but still dry. More details in our 7 Day Forecast. Check out my video forecast for a 14 day temperature outlook.

David Glenn
Storm Track 9 Chief Meteorologist

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.