Tejal Somvanshi
Photo Source: Google
Chicago is facing its first freeze of the fall season, marking a significant shift in weather patterns for the region.
A freeze warning has been issued for several counties, including McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, LaSalle, Kendall, and Grundy, with temperatures expected to drop into the upper 20s and low 30s.
Northern Cook County, Will County, and Kankakee County are under a frost advisory, with slightly warmer temperatures expected but still posing risks to sensitive vegetation.
The coldest temperatures will occur just before daybreak on Wednesday, with western suburbs potentially experiencing lows in the upper 20s.
Residents are advised to protect outdoor plants and pipes from freezing by covering plants, wrapping pipes, and allowing faucets to drip to prevent water from freezing in the lines.
NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman mentions that lake-effect conditions, caused by cold air aloft and the warm waters of Lake Michigan, are contributing to the severity of the freeze warning.
Sensitive plants, including annuals, tender perennials, and late-season vegetables, are at risk of damage or death without proper coverage or protection from the freezing temperatures.
Early freezes are becoming more frequent due to climate change, with studies showing an increase in cold outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere over the past two decades.
Temperatures are expected to rise later in the week, with forecasts predicting a return to the 60s and 70s, illustrating the volatile nature of fall weather in the Chicago area.
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