Chilly air to threaten a frost in parts of the northeastern US this week

The chilly air swinging through the northeastern United States will not relinquish its grip until at least the middle of May.

For most, the cool pattern will result in temperatures averaging 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit below early May averages. In some interior areas, a frost or freeze will occur.

Clouds, a slight breeze, urbanization or proximity to water will protect coastal areas from a frost.

However, people in the suburbs and rural areas of the mid-Atlantic, Upper Midwest and western New England will need to take preventative measures to protect tender plants from damage during multiple nights this week.

"There will be a risk of a frost and freeze where skies become clear and winds diminish through Thursday morning and perhaps Friday morning in some locations of the Northeast," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

"The coldest locations in the rural valleys of the central Appalachians will dip into the upper 20s to lower 30s on Wednesday morning," Sosnowski said.

The coldest spots may dip into the lower to middle 30s on Thursday morning.

Heavily urban areas, such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. should be safe from frost.

However, in rural coastal areas, such as central Long Island and New Jersey, where a sandy soil is predominant, temperatures can dip to frosty levels.

“Sweatshirts, jeans and heavier jackets may be needed when heading out for any evening activities or sporting events,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said. “Many will also need to turn on the heat in their homes.”

Afternoon highs will stay unseasonably cool in the mid-Atlantic despite appearances of the strong May sun. Even as the chill eases by midweek, highs in the 60s will still remain several degrees below normal.

The brunt of the chill will linger across upstate New York and New England, where clouds will be more stubborn to erode.

Those hoping to once again break out the shorts and t-shirts for warm weather activities will likely have to wait until the second half of the month, when near- to slightly above-normal temperatures are expected to return.

While the chill may seem out of the ordinary after the extremely warm April across the region, bouts of cool air and late-season frosts are not unusual during May.

The average date of the last frost is around the beginning of May along the coast and after the middle of the month farther inland across the higher terrain.

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