Indy's first freeze is likely just around the corner
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As summer turns to fall — albeit, an abnormally warm one — the first freeze is likely just around the corner.
The big picture: The first freeze — the first day temperatures reach 32°F or below — usually arrives in Indianapolis around Oct. 18, according to data from the nonprofit climate research group Climate Central.
How it works: The map above is built with Climate Central data and is based on the average date of the first fall freeze between 1991 and 2020.
Yes, but: Fall (and every other season) is getting warmer.
Zoom in: Indianapolis' average temperature in September was 71 degrees — more than 3 degrees above normal.
- It was also a drier-than-average month. We received less than half of our usual rainfall.
Between the lines: The warming trends are consistent with climate science findings showing how the planet is responding to human-caused increases in greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide.
The bottom line: Even if it doesn't feel like it this week, winter is (eventually) coming. And before that, is the first freeze.
- Get your jackets ready, and plan your gardening accordingly.