Frost / Freeze Program 2023

Heat Builds in the West; Extremely Critical Fire Weather in the Northwest

A heat wave over the Southwest will intensify this week, peaking and expanding into the Intermountain West and northern High Plains this weekend. Critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions are forecast from the Northwest and the northern Great Basin this weekend. Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warnings have been issued. Read More >

Public Information Statement National Weather Service Columbia SC 343 PM EST Mon Feb 27 2023 ...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA FROST/FREEZE PROGRAM TO RESUME ON MARCH 1st... The National Weather Service in Columbia, SC will resume the frost and freeze program for the Midlands of South Carolina and the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia on Wednesday March 1st. The decision was made after coordinating with the surrounding National Weather Service Offices along with state and local agricultural community. We will begin the issuance as needed of frost advisories, freeze watches and freeze warnings according to the following criteria: ...Frost Advisory... When there is an 80 percent or greater probability that scattered or widespread frost will occur, usually within 12 to 24 hours. Patchy frost does not necessitate the issuance of a frost advisory, except late in the spring when vegetation is typically more sensitive. ...Freeze Watch... When there is a 50 percent or greater probability that temperatures will be 32 degrees or lower, usually within 12 to 48 hours. ...Freeze Warning... When there is an 80 percent or greater probability that temperatures will be 32 degrees or lower, usually within 12 to 24 hours. Here is a list of the average date of the last spring freeze for some locations across the Midlands and Central Savannah River Area: Augusta (Daniel Fld)...2/27 Thomson................3/14 Orangeburg.............3/15 Columbia...............3/16 Bamberg................3/18 Midville...............3/18 Blackville.............3/20 Waynesboro.............3/21 Little Mountain........3/22 Holly Hill.............3/22 Sandhill (Richland)....3/22 Sumter.................3/24 Manning................3/25 Cheraw.................3/26 Johnston...............3/26 Wagener................3/26 Appling................3/27 Pageland...............3/27 Augusta (Bush Fld).....3/28 McCormick..............3/28 Pelion.................3/28 Bishopville............3/29 Newberry...............3/31 Saluda.................3/31 Winnsboro..............3/31 Chesterfield...........4/01 Cedar Creek............4/10 $$ LCV