NATCHEZ — Widespread below-freezing temperatures are expected early Thursday in the Miss-Lou, the National Weather Service reports.

Areas impacted include Jefferson, Adams and Franklin counties in Mississippi and Concordia and Catahoula parishes in Louisiana.

A freeze warning will go into effect from midnight to 9 a.m. Thursday. Temperatures are expected between 22 and 29 degrees early Thursday.

The wind chill will be in the upper teens to low 20s.

The weather service said crops and other sensitive vegetation may be killed, adding precautions should be taken to protect outdoor pets from the cold.

The freeze warning means sub-freezing temperatures are imminent or highly likely.