First Predicted Freeze Date of ’24 in Southern Utah

People love thinking about "freeze dates" in August because they've lost their will to live.

Most of us haven't left the house for recreation since April. Getting in the car and going somewhere is strictly utilitarian. Work. Food. Red pepper relish from you know where.

So it's fun to think about when the weather will drop below Saharan range.

According to the Farmers Almanac, the first frost date in Cedar City is October 7th.

Here's their explanation of a frost date: (full link)

"A frost date is the average date of the last light freeze in spring or the first light freeze in fall.

The classification of freeze temperatures is based on their effect on plants:

• Light freeze: 29° to 32°F (-1.7° to 0°C)—tender plants are killed.
• Moderate freeze: 25° to 28°F (-3.9° to -2.2°C)—widely destructive to most vegetation.
• Severe freeze: 24°F (-4.4°C) and colder—heavy damage to most garden plants.

Note that frost dates are only an estimate based on historical climate data and are not set in stone. The probability of a frost occurring after the spring frost date or before the fall frost date is 30%, which means  there is still a chance of frost occurring before or after the given dates!"

Frost can happen even when the temperature isn't at 32ºF because the sky is usually clear which apparently means the ground is more susceptible to getting cooled through "radiative cooling." If you have plants that are sensitive be aware of that.

Enjoy dreaming frost. Until October 7th!