A sudden and sharp drop in temperatures has triggered freeze warnings across 16 states in the U.S., stretching from the Northeast and Midwest to southern and western states, as early-season cold air surges across the country.

TRI-CITES, Wash.- Freeze Warning issued for Kittitas Valley, Yakima Valley, Simcoe Highlands, Blue Mountain Foothills and John Day Basin starting Thursday night at 11 pm and ending at 9 am

We’ve had some patchy frost a couple times this season but late tonight there’ll be a next-level chill in the air! A Freeze Warning begins after midnight and lasts into Wednesday morning. Lows will dip below the freezing mark for the first time this season.

"Subfreezing temperatures as low as 24 [degrees Fahrenheit] expected" in some areas of Minnesota and North Dakota, the NWS said.