ELKINS – Randolph, Pocahontas, Barbour, Upshur and Tucker counties are under a frost advisory and a freeze watch for Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Early Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service put out a frost advisory and freeze watch for Thursday and Friday in most of North Central West Virginia, including five local counties.

The frost advisory is in effect for areas in Randolph, Pocahontas, Barbour, Upshur and Tucker counties on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The National Weather Service states that, with a frost advisory, temperatures as low as 35 degrees will result in frost formation. Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation and sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered, the National Weather Service states.

The freeze watch will be in effect for Randolph, Pocahontas and Tucker counties starting late Thursday night and going into Friday morning. In a freeze watch, it is possible to see sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 degrees.

The NWS forecast for the Elkins area calls for a low Thursday night of 31 degrees.

Freeze conditions could also kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

The National Weather Service recommends individuals take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold and winterize outdoor plumbing, such as hose spigots.