A local meteorologist says residents in the Upper Cumberland should prepare for a hard freeze on Monday, after a stretch of unusually warm weather.
Temperatures are expected to dip into the low 20’s on Monday. National Weather Service Meteorologist Paige Barr said this sudden cold is typical for March but can still catch people off guard.
“We have got a really nice, early taste of spring, but yes, this is what we call here in the South, what, Blackberry Winter, right?” Barr said. “It happens usually in March, and unfortunately, this is normal.”
Barr said residents should take the heavy coat out of the closet and prepare to wear it on Monday. She urged residents to protect plants, pets, and exposed pipes.
“It is going to be in the teens as we go into Monday night, early Tuesday morning, it’ll be cold again on Tuesday morning, so Tuesday night going into Wednesday morning, it’s still going to be below freezing,” Barr said. “So if you have any plants, please bring those in. It’s going to be the kind of cold, especially Monday night, drip your faucets, protect your pipes if you have anything exposed. Your pets, do not forget about your babies outside. Bring your fur babies in. Have them somewhere warm, even if it’s in the garage or somewhere that’s warm.”
Barr said the Upper Cumberland region can typically experience freezes through the end of March. Barr also warned that the area could see some light snow along with the cold temperatures.
“You might see some snow showers as that cold front continues to move through on Monday morning,” Barr said. “You may see some snowflakes coming out of the sky. We are not expecting much in the way of accumulation, I think, at the very most, maybe a few tenths of an inch. The primary impact for sure is going to be how cold it’s going to get.”
Barr said she encourages residents to monitor the forecast Sunday evening for updates on storms and wind conditions.
