Winter hasn't packed its bags yet, as a freeze watch is in effect tonight through Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City said area residents should expect the low overnight temperature to drop below freezing, meaning possible death for outdoor vegetation, unless it's covered.

"Early growth may be threatened or killed by the freezing temperatures" and those "with agricultural interests ... should make preparations to protect sensitive vegetation and young trees," the weather service said in a statement Sunday.

Today's high temperature will reach the low 50s, but with wind gusts up to 30 mph, the outdoors could feel downright frigid. Winds aren't expected to be as gusty overnight, but with the mercury hitting an expected 31 degrees, the air temperature could feel like it's in the 20s.

The chilly weather is forecast to cover most of North and Middle Georgia, the weather service said.

When temperatures plummeted during the late fall, Michael Wheeler, Hall County Extension coordinator, advised covering outdoor plants with a cotton sheet before the freeze hits. Plastic sheeting also works fine, but that should be removed before the sun comes out, he said.

Otherwise, the plants could bake under the plastic.
Cotton is best, because it allows the plants to breathe, Wheeler said.

Also, adding a "good layer of mulch helps insulate the plant's roots," he said.

Cold weather began its move into the area on Sunday, as the mercury reached the low 50s and the Hall County area was under a wind advisory.

Strong winds "will blow around unsecured objects and may bring down weak trees." They could making driving difficult, warned the weather service.

Conditions should improve later in the week.

The high temperature should be in the 70s Thursday and Friday.

A chance of showers and thunderstorms returns to the area Friday, with a chance for more rain Saturday.

Late winter is continuing to produce solid bouts of rainfall, although last week's amounts were part of strong and damaging storms that swept much of the country. The steady rain has been good news for Lake Lanier.

The lake stood at 1,064.33 feet above sea level Sunday afternoon, up a foot since Feb. 20 and the highest the lake has been since Sept. 3.

Ernest Noe, chief ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the corps now can resume looking at dock permit applications. The corps suspended the process in late September as Lanier's level continued to drop, to as low as 1,057.91 feet on Nov. 14.