A harsh cold wave has arrived, dropping temperatures 10-20 degrees below average and posing significant frost and freeze concerns.
According to the National Weather Service, high temperatures on Monday, April 20, will struggle to reach the upper 40s and 50s, making it feel more like March than late April.
The chill comes after a remarkable temperature drop of 20-40 degrees over the region, transforming conditions from summerlike warmth to early spring cold.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson, high pressure will cause the most worry on Monday night and Tuesday morning, April 21. Anderson predicted widespread freezing conditions, with much of interior New England, upstate New York, and parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia plunging into the 20s during a severe freeze.
“The rapid decrease in temperatures poses a serious risk of widespread frost damage after a period of extremely warm weather pushed many plants ahead of schedule.” Blossoms and buds that appear early are especially sensitive. Temperatures dropping below freezing for even a few hours can have a substantial impact on fruit yield later in the season.
“Frost and freeze conditions on successive mornings might exacerbate the harm. The first cold blast may weaken blooms, while the second can kill them, particularly for crops such as apples, peaches, and berries that are already in delicate growth phases.
This issue is more than just a little frost concern. Some places may see a strong freeze, which can be destructive to early season plants. Growers and gardeners should take precautions to minimize losses.
Frost and freeze dangers are present throughout the Northeast, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
The cold spell is anticipated to diminish by midweek, with temperatures gradually returning to seasonal averages on Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, before becoming unstable during the weekend.
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