The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Fishers and parts of central, east central and west central Indiana, with temperatures expected to dip below freezing early Sunday.
The warning is in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday. Forecasters expect lows as cold as 31 degrees under clear skies and calm winds, with widespread frost likely, mainly after 5 a.m.
The weather service warns that frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and may damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Residents should bring potted plants indoors or cover garden beds before sundown. Garden hoses should be disconnected and outdoor faucets and irrigation lines protected. Pets should be brought inside overnight. Drivers heading out early Sunday should allow extra time to scrape frosted windshields.
Today is sunny with a high near 55, with a north-northeast wind of 6 to 10 mph and gusts up to 18 mph.
The cold snap won’t last long. After the frost burns off Sunday morning, the forecast calls for sunshine and a high near 63.
More frost is possible early Monday, with patchy frost before 9 a.m. after a Sunday night low around 36. Monday then warms to a high near 68.
From there, the weather service forecast shows a steady warming trend with sunshine every day through the end of the week:
- Tuesday: Sunny, high near 71
- Wednesday: Sunny, high near 74
- Thursday: Sunny, high near 76
- Friday: Sunny, high near 77
Overnight lows will climb as well, from the upper 30s Monday night to the upper 40s by Thursday night. No rain is in the forecast through Friday.
For many Hamilton County gardeners, tonight’s freeze is likely to end the growing season for tender annuals and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and basil. Hardier fall plantings, including mums and pansies, typically come through a light freeze with little damage.