Western North Carolina faces freeze warning Friday morning: Temperatures to drop as low as 29°F

The National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg office has issued a freeze warning for Western North Carolina, effective Friday from 2 am to 9 am.

The warning covers mountainous counties including Northern Jackson, Caldwell Mountains, Burke Mountains, McDowell Mountains, Madison, Swain, Haywood, Buncombe, Graham, and Macon.

Forecasters predict sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 degrees Fahrenheit in some high-elevation areas. This will bring widespread frost and freeze conditions, potentially damaging sensitive crops and vegetation and threatening unprotected outdoor plumbing.


Residents are urged to take protective measures such as draining in-ground sprinkler systems, removing garden hoses, and covering exposed outdoor pipes in advance of the cold snap.

This event marks the coldest night of the season so far for the region and signals the likely end of the growing season in several affected mountain areas.

The NWS categorizes freeze warnings as indicating likely temperatures between 29-32 degrees Fahrenheit and advises those with sensitive plants to bring them indoors if possible, as these conditions can be fatal to tender vegetation.

How to protect yourself and your property

The NWS advises residents to move tender plants indoors if possible since freezing temperatures can kill sensitive vegetation. For outdoor protection:

• Cover and insulate exposed pipes, especially in garages, attics, and crawl spaces.
  
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air circulation around indoor plumbing.
  
• Keep garage doors closed if water pipes are present inside.
  
• Maintain a constant indoor temperature during the freeze to reduce pipe damage.
  
• If pipes freeze, gently thaw them using a hairdryer or warm towels; avoid open flames.
  

Residents should stay informed through official weather updates and be prepared for the cold to minimize damage to homes, gardens, and irrigation systems.