D.C. Under Freeze Watch As Blast Of Cold Air Revisits Region

WASHINGTON -- After weeks of above normal temperatures in the nation's capital, a brief blast of winter will make a return appearance Monday night.

There won't be any snow, but a cold Canadian airmass will swoop down from the north testing the vigilance of area gardeners.

The National Weather Service has placed much of the D.C. area under a freeze watch or freeze warning for Monday night heading into Tuesday morning. As the Capital Weather Gang reports, gardeners and others who are tending outdoor plants should be on alert:

Because it has been so warm lately, the growing season is well underway - so gardeners may need to protect sensitive, tender vegetation. Temperatures so far this month have averaged 12 degrees above normal.

During this past winter season, the temperature at Reagan National Airport was at or fell below the 32-degree mark only 24 times. It was the warmest winter weather on record.

Flickr photo by daveeza