Environment Canada has issued a weather alert for the Peel region, warning that temperatures will fall to near the freezing mark tonight into early Saturday morning.
The alert, issued Friday morning, covers Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. It comes with a moderate impact level but high forecast confidence, meaning the weather agency is confident the cold temperatures will arrive as predicted.
The main concern for residents is the effect on vegetation. Environment Canada says damage to plants, trees and crops is possible as temperatures approach zero.
Take preventative measures to protect cold-sensitive plants, trees, and crops. Cover up plants, especially those in frost-prone areas.
The agency issued that advice in its Friday alert, urging gardeners and growers across the region to act before nightfall.
What this means for local residents
For many in Peel, the first frost of the season signals the end of the growing season for backyard vegetable patches, flower beds and container gardens. Tender plants that have thrived through the summer and early fall are the most vulnerable when temperatures dip toward zero.
The alert is a particular concern for Caledon's rural areas, where farms, orchards and market gardens are more exposed to cold nights than the paved, built-up cores of Brampton and Mississauga. Crops still in the ground or unharvested fields could sustain frost damage if left unprotected.
How to protect your plants
Environment Canada's advice is straightforward: cover cold-sensitive plants, especially in frost-prone areas. Low-lying parts of a yard, open fields and areas away from buildings tend to collect cold air and freeze first.
The weather agency is also asking residents to keep monitoring alerts and forecasts, as conditions can change. The latest information is available through Environment Canada's weather website.
Anyone who spots severe weather in their area can report it to Environment Canada by email at ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or by posting on social media using the hashtag #ONStorm. Those reports help forecasters track conditions as they develop.
Temperatures are expected to fall to near the freezing mark overnight and into the early hours of Saturday, according to the alert issued by Environment Canada.
