A surge of cold air is helping produce the coldest temperatures many communities have experienced in weeks, prompting freeze alerts across South Carolina.
The cold front that triggered Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Watches on Monday is allowing temperatures to drop into the 20s and 30s for several nights.
The greatest chance of freezing conditions will occur in communities located west and north of Interstate 20.
Fortunately, enough moisture has moved offshore that there won't be a threat of frozen precipitation; however, snow showers won't be far away in the mountains across western North Carolina.
Even cooler conditions are expected on Wednesday morning as high pressure settles in, creating ideal conditions for radiational cooling.
Forecast models show freezing temperatures making their way all the way to the Interstate 95 corridor by midweek, but it appears coastal communities will miss out on seeing an official freeze due to the natural warming effect of sea surface temperatures.
The expected temperatures aren't record-breaking but are in the neighborhood of 10 to 15 degrees below average.
With the spring growing season underway across much of the region, the cold snap could pose a threat to sensitive vegetation and newly planted crops.
Gardeners and homeowners are encouraged to take steps to protect plants before temperatures drop to potentially damaging levels.
Covering plants with blankets, sheets or towels can help trap warmer air near the ground and shield them from frosty conditions.
For potted plants, moving them closer to the house or bringing them indoors, if possible, can provide additional protection from the cold.
Taking these simple steps through Wednesday morning can significantly reduce the risk of frost damage to tender plants during the cold snap.
Temperatures are expected to rebound toward the end of the workweek as an area of high pressure shifts eastward, allowing milder air to gradually return to the region.
Seeing a frost or freeze in mid-March is a bit unusual, as spring seasons have generally warmed across the state, but the cold weather is not unheard of, especially when strong cold fronts make their way into the Southeast.
Most of the state sees its last frost in early April, but frost has occurred as late as May, the last month of meteorological spring.