Salt Lake City's first freezes arrive later
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Salt Lake City's freezing temperatures are creeping deeper into fall, a new analysis finds.
Why it matters: It's yet another indication that fall is warming amid climate change, which affects farmers, gardeners and allergy sufferers.
Driving the news: Compared to 1970, Salt Lake City's first freeze is arriving eight days later on average, according to a new report from Climate Central, a climate research group.
- In Salt Lake, the average first freeze date falls between Oct. 16-31, per Climate Central.
The big picture: The first freeze is arriving deeper into the season in nearly 90% of the 204 U.S. cities analyzed.
- Among those cities, first freeze is happening 12 days later on average.
- The group defines "first freeze" as the first calendar date from Aug. 1 onward with low temperatures at or below 32°F.
Caveat: "First freeze" is different from "first frost," which can happen with slightly higher temperatures — and damage frost-intolerant crops.
Zoom in: Reno, Nev. (41 days later); Bend, Ore. (38 days) and Santa Maria, Calif. (35 days) have seen the biggest first freeze delays.
How it works: Climate Central's analysis is based on NOAA weather station data.