Southeast Iowa residents should be preparing their plants and pipes for a Freeze Warning that takes effect tonight.

The National Weather Service Quad Cities Office has issued the watch for midnight until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning for a region including Washington, Henry, Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk, and Louisa counties. Subfreezing temperatures as low as 27 degrees are possible, which could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents are advised to take steps to protect tender plants from the cold, and to prevent the freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. In-ground sprinkler systems should also be drained. Temperatures are expected to rise to 57 degrees by Thursday with sunny skies predicted. Listen to KCII for weather updates.