Cleveland's first freeze delayed by climate change

The first freezing temperatures after summer are coming later on the calendar than they used to in many U.S. cities, a new analysis finds.

Why it matters: It's another indication of fall warming amid climate change, and affects farmers, gardeners and allergy sufferers.

Driving the news: Compared to 1970, first freeze is arriving later in nearly 90% of the 204 U.S. cities analyzed in a new report from research group Climate Central.

• Among those cities, first freeze — defined as the first calendar date from Aug. 1 onwards with low temperatures at or below 32°F — is happening 12 days later on average.

Zoom in: Cleveland's first freeze is arriving 16 days later on average in comparison to 1970.

• Now, the first freeze typically occurs between Oct. 16-31.

Caveat: "First freeze" is different from "first frost," which can happen with slightly higher temperatures.