For the first time this fall, residents in southwest Oregon and northwest California are being told to prepare for sub-freezing temperatures.
The National Weather Service has posted a Freeze Warning for Josephine, Jackson, central Douglas and eastern Curry counties in Oregon along with Siskiyou County in California. It runs from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday. A Freeze Watch has been issued for late Friday night through Saturday morning
Weather experts say sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 degrees are possible throughout the region including the cities of Medford, Ashland, Cave Junction, Selma, Applegate and Shady Cove. Lows will be slightly warmer in other areas.
Frost and freezing conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. It could also damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes, they should be wrapped, drained or allowed to drip slowly. Those who have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
