Don’t say the weather forecasters didn’t warn you. The “arctic express” is predicted to arrive later this week.

Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska could even see some snowflakes on Wednesday or Thursday.

And if you have any tender vegetables still in your garden, better pick ‘em. Covering them won’t do any good. The combination of cold and wind will do them in.

Houseplants? The outdoor season is over.

Furnaces and heaters? Make sure they’re in safe working order.

The arctic front, bringing unseasonably frigid air from Canada, is forecast to sweep across the state on Wednesday. Snow showers could start in northeast Nebraska Wednesday morning and reach Southeast Nebraska by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. Little snow accumulation is expected.

Temperatures? If it doesn’t freeze here Thursday morning, it probably will Friday morning.

Too early, you say? No, it’s normal. The normal first freeze arrives here between Oct. 7 and 14, the National Weather Service said. Only on the bluffs along the Missouri River does the growing season usually continue past Oct. 15.

Good news: after highs in the 50s Wednesday through Friday, they should be back in the 60s next weekend.