FIRST KILLING FROST FORECAST SATURDAY

Get ready: The first killing freeze and coldest temperatures thus far this fall are expected in the area early Saturday.

The National Weather Service says a hard freeze will occur when temperatures fall into the mid- to upper-20s early Saturday and Sunday morning in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

The first major outbreak of cold air in the area will produce blustery cold weather today, with a mixture of rain and snow this afternoon and steady or falling temperatures in the 40s.

The weather service said the rain will turn to snow in some of the southern Missouri Ozark counties early today, with snow flurries expected through much of northern Missouri today, where highs will only be in the 30s and low 40s.

According to Al Robertson, climatologist and professor of geosciences at Southeast Missouri State University, the 31-year long-term average date for the first killing freeze (30 degrees and below) at Cape Girardeau is Oct. 31. So Saturday's freeze is only a day ahead of normal.

Last year the first killing freeze occurred on Nov. 7. Robertson said the earliest date the first killing freeze occurred at the airport was Oct. 6, 1964. The latest date of the first killing freeze was Nov. 26, 1985.

On Nov. 4, 1991, an outbreak of bitterly cold air sent temperatures plunging to record lows in Missouri. At Cape Girardeau, the morning low fell to 16 degrees and caused extensive damage to plants and shrubs.

Forecasters said lows on Saturday and Sunday will be in the mid- to upper-20s, but a gradual warming trend will begin Monday, and continue through Wednesday, with no precipitation expected.

The arrival of the cold air will bring an end to this year's growing season. Those who have indoor plants that have been outside for the summer months should bring them in.

Charles Korns, professor of agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University, said the cold weather helps outdoor plants and shrubs prepare for much colder temperatures later this winter. Said Korns: "At 25 to 30 degrees, all growth stops in plants and shrubs. Chemicals in the plants and shrubs help build them up for the colder temperatures during the winter months."

Korns said those with rose bushes should wait until after the freeze this weekend to cut them back.

"There's no need to cut back rose bushes until after the first freeze," he said. "Then, they should be cut back about 2 feet from the top. Pile dirt or mulch around the base of the rose bush to protect the root and base from the cold winter temperatures. Next spring cut the bushes back again so they are about 12 to 15 inches above the ground."

Korns said those who still have tomato or pepper plants should pick what is on the plants before the freeze.