Central and Eastern Massachusetts Weather: Hard Freeze Overnight with Lows Around 25°

WORCESTER, Mass. — A hard freeze is expected across much of southern New England tonight, from 11 PM until 9 AM Friday, as the season’s coldest air mass settles over the region.

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton has issued a Freeze Warning for:

Connecticut: Hartford, Tolland, and Windham counties
Massachusetts: Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, and Middlesex counties
Rhode Island: Kent, Providence, and Washington counties

Temperatures could drop to 25 degrees in colder valleys, with upper 20s to near 30 in urban and inland coastal areas.

Impacts and Precautions

Forecasters warn that frost and freeze conditions could:

Kill crops and damage sensitive vegetation
Harm unprotected plumbing

Residents are advised to:

Cover or bring in plants
Shut off and drain outdoor faucets
Wrap exposed pipes
Ensure pets have warm shelter overnight

Travel and Safety

Clear skies and calm winds will allow rapid cooling, forming frost early in low-lying areas. Drivers on I-90, I-84, and Route 146 may encounter frosted windshields and slick rural roads by dawn Friday.

This marks the first widespread freeze of the season for interior southern New England, signaling the end of the growing season. Milder conditions return this weekend, though another cold shot may bring renewed frost potential early next week.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.