ST. LOUIS — Spring has sprung across the St. Louis area, but incoming cold temperatures may dampen the moods of those with green thumbs.
Numerous counties in the region are under a frost advisory as meteorologists expect sub-freezing temperatures to potentially damage freshly planted, unprotected plants, the National Weather Service said Saturday afternoon.
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"Temperatures in the mid to low 30s during the early morning hours Sunday," NWS said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Sensitive outdoor plants will need to be covered or brought indoors.
The following St. Louis area counties are under the frost advisory:
Missouri
- Crawford
- Franklin
- Gasconade
- Lincoln
- Phelps
- Pike
- Warren
Illinois
- Calhoun
- Greene
- Jersey
- Macoupin
- Montgomery
NWS also issued a freeze warning for northern Missouri and central Illinois counties outside of 5 On Your Side's coverage area.
The bad news for gardeners is good news for those with a fear of insects. The cold snap will push back this year's periodic cicada emergence for a week or two.
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"The ground has to hit 64 degrees, 8 inches below the surface," Butterfly House Senior Entomologist Tad Yankoski previously told 5 On Your Side. "We've been measuring it every single day, sometimes multiple times a day and it is getting close fast."
The brief cold snap buys people a little bit of time, but the heat will win out eventually and cicada brood XIX will emerge. When the 13-year cicada comes out, it will be in the masses and will last around a month.
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