With some of the season's coldest air whirling toward the Southeast, you might consider taking steps to protect plants, pets and maybe even pipes.

Wednesday morning's expected low of 28 degrees will be the coldest this month, below the 30 degrees on Nov. 1, according to the National Weather Service. A low of 29 degrees on Oct. 29 was the coldest in October.

"A strong Canadian cold front will bring a renewed surge of cold air into the region Tuesday," forecasters said. "Canadian high pressure will settle over the region by Wednesday morning."

Parts of north and central Georgia could face freezing temperatures for nine hours or more, but counties in the Augusta area would face shorter durations of subfreezing temperatures.

Forecasters are predicting more moderate temperatures later in the week, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s.