Live overnight NWS forecast · United States
Should I cover my plants tonight?
Check tonight's NWS hourly temperature forecast against the cold tolerance of tomatoes, peppers, basil, lettuce, kale and garden flowers. Get a cover, harvest or move decision.
Change a setting to update your decision. No live forecast means no safe-weather verdict.
What covering can and cannot do
Frost cloth can slow heat loss on calm cold nights. Iowa State Extension warns basic coverings often stop working as temperatures fall below roughly 28°F, especially during sustained freezing. Harvest tender vegetables or move pots when significant freezing is forecast. Remove coverings after temperatures recover.
Clouds, wind, exposure and low-lying garden pockets matter. Weather forecasts measure air temperature, not actual leaf temperature. This tool intentionally uses a conservative 36°F protection trigger for frost-tender crops.
Sources: Iowa State Extension protection guidance and NWS hourly forecast.
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