BAY MINETTE, Ala. — The National Weather Service has issued a hard freeze warning for Bay Minette and the surrounding area tonight.

The warning will be effective from midnight until 8 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13.

“A hard-freeze watch and warning means temperatures of 20 degrees or lower are expected,” states a NWS news release. “Check on the elderly and protect pets, pipes and plants.”

The NWS services advises that hard-freeze conditions can “kill sensitive vegetation and cause pipes to burst.”

Additional advices includes using carbon-monoxide alarms in closed spaces.

“Make sure space heaters are not left unattended and are not used near flammable materials, such as curtains or bed coverings,” the release states.

Tonight’s temperature in Bay Minette is expected to drop to 19 degrees. Thursday, skies will be sunny with a high of 43, but only after morning wind-chill values of between 15 and 25.