Temperatures will dip to near or below freezing in parts of North Carolina Wednesday morning. That's actually not all that unusual for this time of year, but an early April freeze is more damaging to crops that it has been in the past.

What You Need To Know

  • A Freeze Warning has been issued for Wednesday morning for parts of North Carolina

  • An earlier start to growing season can make early April freezes more concerning to farmers

  • You can protect your plants in your home garden from frost by covering them at night

The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for parts of the state where the growing season has already begun and where temperatures have the highest chance for dropping to near freezing by around sunrise Wednesday.

The average date for the last frost or freeze from the season in much of this area is around this time of year.

However, the spring season is overall getting warmer just like every season of the year due to climate change.

As of Tuesday, this has been the warmest start to spring on record for Raleigh, the 4th warmest for Charlotte and the 5th warmest for Greensboro.

The growing season is starting earlier around the state with the warmer days, so a freeze this time of the year is more of a concern to farmers in the area. 

If you've already planted your garden at home, N.C. State Extension recommends watering plants prior to the freezing temperatures and to trap heat by covering your plants with a sheet.