Windy, wintery weather has settled into Covington County, bringing with it near-freezing temperatures.

Thursday, residents woke up to damp ground and dreary skies as nearly an inch of rainfall blanketed the county on Wednesday. The day saw a high of only 65 degrees, and winds whipped from the north at about 17 miles per hour.

Today’s football Friday will have locals seeing a forecasted high of 62 degrees, more of the same winds and the beginnings of a freeze watch for most of Alabama.

Locally, overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the lower 30s to upper 20s. The National Weather Service stated a light freeze is expected from across the inland areas from New Augusta, Miss., to Andalusia. A patchy light freeze will extend south of that area to the interior portion of Northwest Florida.

As of now, the watch is set to expire Saturday morning.

Residents are reminded to “protect the four Ps – people, pets, plants and pipes” as winter makes its way to the area.

• Check on neighbors and loved ones, making sure each have adequate heat.

• Use portable heaters carefully, obeying all safety instructions to prevent home fires.

• Bring plants indoors or cover properly.

• Make appropriate arrangements to keep pets warm.

Saturday night, the low is expected at just above freezing – 33 degrees – and will slightly increase nightly throughout the rest of the week.