The National Weather Service issued a freeze watch for eastern North Carolina Thursday night.

“Clearing skies and diminishing winds will allow good radiational cooling conditions tonight over eastern North Carolina inland from the coast,” said the NWS in its weather alert.

Minimum temperatures in the lower 30s are expected along and just east of Highway 17, especially in sheltered areas.

Areas of frost are likely and there is a potential for a couple of hours of freezing temperatures.

Subfreezing temperatures could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation, warned the NWS.

The freeze watch will be in effect from late Thursday evening through early Friday morning.