Raleigh, N.C. — Thousands of North Carolina residents awoke to frost and near freezing conditions Monday morning as temperatures dropped to the mid-30s.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh issued freeze warnings and frost advisories that covered more than 70 counties in North Carolina and lasted until 8 a.m.

“This is the coldest morning we’ve seen out of this cold snap,” said WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. “We have a lot more of this to look forward to.”

Sensitive outdoor plants should be brought indoors or covered to keep them from being killed by frost on these mornings.

Monday’s highs were expected to reach the mid to upper 60s. Monday night’s conditions will be fair and not as cold. Overnight lows will dip to the low 40s.

Tuesday will be warmer, with highs in the low 70s under partly sunny skies. A dry cold front will slip through the area, bringing another cool air mass behind it.

Tuesday night will be mostly clear and cool, with lows in the 40s.

“(The weather) will be a little milder as we head in to the weekend,” Gardner said.