India, Oct. 4 -- More than 10,000 residents in Northeastern California have been placed under a freeze watch as the season's first significant cold snap sweeps across the inland Pacific Northwest. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the alert on Thursday, warning of overnight lows that could damage crops, vegetation, and even outdoor plumbing, according to Newsweek.

Meteorologist Marc Spilde said average lows around this time of year usually hover near freezing in the region.

Speaking to Newsweek, Spilde noted that these conditions typically mark the beginning of the seasonal freeze. "This is about the time when they start getting their freezes of the season," he said.

The freeze watch is in effect from late Friday night through ...