Wintry weather across the northern Plains will end early Friday, although very cold conditions will linger through the weekend.  In fact, scattered sub-zero temperatures may occur into early next week in parts of Montana and North Dakota.  Additionally, hard freezes (temperatures of 28°F or below) will likely be observed by the end of October along and northwest of a line from northern Texas into the Ohio Valley.  In areas such as the central Plains, where there will be little or no freshly fallen snow to provide insulation, emerging winter wheat may be burned back by temperatures as low as 10 to 15°F. 

…