ALBANY — Chilly weather could produce frost across eastern New York on Monday morning, possibly damaging some fickle plants along the way.
The National Weather Service in Albany expects temperatures to be between 33 and 36 degrees in scattered areas across the highlands of the Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, Catskills and Lake George. A frost advisory will be in effect from midnight to 8 a.m.
It follows frost threats the National Weather Service issued at the end of last week for northern Saratoga County, Washington County and southeast Warren County.
Tender outdoor plants could be killed if left uncovered.
“It’s not like a thick, heavy frost,” said meteorologist Joe Villani of the National Weather Service. “It might harm some sensitive plants, but some heartier trees and fruit trees probably won’t see much effect unless you have a hard freeze.”
From Monday night to Tuesday morning, temperatures could dip below 32, according to Villani. This could result in the National Weather Service issuing freeze warnings.
For planters, the rest of the week is expected to be smooth sailing, Villani noted. By Tuesday night, the low is expected to straddle 40 degrees, and by Wednesday night, 45 degrees.
“It looks like the low temperature should generally be warm enough to prevent any frost after that,” the meteorologist said.
A frost advisory won’t be issued for the North Country because that region’s growing season doesn’t go into effect until May 21. For highlands south of the Adirondack massif, the growing season begins May 11.
The average low temperature in Albany at this time of year is 46 degrees. However, it’s not abnormal for low temperatures to dip into a more wintry range in May, according to Villani.