Temperatures across West Chester Township and Liberty Township dropped into the mid- to lower 30s early Sunday, Oct. 18, as a freeze warning covered Butler County from Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The National Weather Service office in Wilmington issued the warning after a cold front moved through the Cincinnati region. WLWT meteorologist Adam Burniston reported Saturday that the front pushed rain out and left behind a fall chill with sunny but cold conditions.
Highs on Saturday, Oct. 17, reached only the mid-50s with breezy north winds. By Sunday morning the freeze threat arrived as temperatures fell into the 30s.
The cold is not done.
The National Weather Service's hazardous weather outlook for Butler County warns that areas of frost are possible late Sunday night into early Monday morning, Oct. 19. The NWS forecast calls for frost Monday morning followed by sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s.
Sunday afternoon should bring relief. Temperatures are expected to rebound to the lower 60s with sunshine, according to the NWS Butler County forecast.
Residents with outdoor plants should take steps before nightfall. Vegetables, annuals and tropical plants are the most vulnerable, according to Iowa State University Extension. Potted plants can be moved into a garage or heated room. Plants that cannot be moved should be covered with sheets, blankets or frost fabric, with stakes or furniture holding the covering off the leaves. Remove coverings once temperatures rise above freezing.
The extended forecast for Butler County shows sunny skies and highs near 70 degrees by Thursday, Oct. 22.
