Are you ready for the cold? Freeze Watch for Iowa and Illinois

It's that time of year to bring in the plants. Unhook the hose. And make sure any outside animals are brought inside and protected. Cause it's going to get cold. The Quad Cities is under a Freeze Watch.

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What to expect with this freeze watch.

The National Weather Service isn't just saying we might see some frost in the area. This is a straight-up freeze watch. This means we'll see temps getting down to 29 overnight. So if you haven't turned that heater on yet, you will have to bundle up or finally give in and warm that house up.

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When is the freeze watch in effect?

The temps will only be in the low/mid 50's during the day on Friday (October 7) setting us up for those freezing temps Friday overnight and into Saturday (October 8) morning. The official freeze watch is in effect from 1:00 a.m. till 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

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But am I in the freeze watch?

Well since this is the internet, you could be reading this from Florida in which case, no, you're fine. But, if you are anywhere near the Quad Cities you are a part of this freeze watch. It extends from Dubuque to almost St. Louis and Cedar Rapids to Rockford. Guess who is right in the middle of that. Yeah, that would be the Quad Cities.

National Weather Service

By now you should know what to do...but just in case.

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 that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

You know it's coming every year. Although this year it's a little early with the normal first freeze coming on October 17. But either way. Here it is. Now turn on the heater so your spouse doesn't end up with frostbite.

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