Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

HARD FREEZE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST /8 AM CST/ WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 expected. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Alabama, Big Bend and Panhandle Florida and south central and southwest Georgia. * WHEN...Until 9 AM EST /8 AM CST/ Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Evening temperature trends favor a slightly earlier onset of hard freeze conditions by about an hour than previously forecast.