Early forecast on the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season are average at best! Bill Read, the director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, unveiled his forecast this week stating that we will likely see average storm activity with sea surface temperatures forecast to be cooler than last year.

Read did not make any specific forecasts on the number of hurricanes he expected but he did say preliminary reports suggest water temperatures could be less conducive this year for hurricane formation.

On average, the Atlantic hurricane season brings around 12 tropical storms, with 6 of those strengthening into hurricanes. 2011 saw 19 tropical storms, with seven growing into hurricanes, including three major ones.

 Irene was the only hurricane to hit the United States in 2011 and the first since Hurricane Ike struck southeastern Texas in 2008.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1st.

Short Term

Freeze Warning in effect for tonight. If you don't like the weather in Georegia just wait 10 minutes and it will change! Such is the case again tonight! With totally clear skies and winds becoming light from the north we are going to get very cold tonight. Lows overnight in the metro area will be dipping into the lower 30's with some upper 20's in the forecast for some of the rural areas. Tomrrow will be very sunny and beautiful! Highs will still be on the cool side with afternoon temps making it into the mid to upper 50's.

Mid Week

ATLANTA -- Winds will calm down this evening with clear skies and temperatures dropping into the 20s and 30s. Due to the late season low temperatures, the National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning for metro Atlanta from 9 p.m. Monday until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

A Freeze Warning means that nighttime temps could threaten outdoor plants. With temperatures as warm as they have been lately, many of you have already begun to plant for spring. If not protected, your outdoor plants may be destroyed along with other early spring growth.

The plants most vulnerable to frost are soft woods, actively growing bloomers, and potted plants.

There are a few ways your can keep your plants safe:

The best way, if possible, is to bring your plant inside for the night.

Many people mistakenly use plastic to protect plants from frost. While this can be effective, it is a practice that some expert gardeners warn against.