Mark asked the question “At what point do they stop issuing freeze warnings? ” These are the criteria from the NWS.
Frost Advisory
Frost Advisories are only issued from May 1-October 20th (can be extended if necessary). A frost advisory is issued when temperatures, winds, and sky cover are favorable for frost development. This is most likely when temperatures are less than or equal to 36 degrees. Coverage of frost in these cases should be more than patchy. If a frost is sufficiently severe to end the growing season, it is commonly referred to as a ‘killing frost.’
What to do: If a Frost Advisory is issued for your area, cover up plants before the sun sets so that it can help retain heat near the plants.
Freeze Warning/Watch
Freeze Warnings are only issued from May 1-October 20th (can be extended if necessary). A freeze warning is issued when low temperatures are expected to be 29-32 degrees. A Freeze Watch may be issued a few days ahead of time if the potential exists for temperatures to fall into these thresholds.
What to do: If a Freeze Warning/Watch is issued for your area, there is little you can do to protect plants. If you can move your sensitive plants inside, do so because the freeze will likely kill them, depending on the severity of conditions.
Hard Freeze Warning/Watch
Hard Freeze Warnings are only issued from May 1-October 20th (can be extended if necessary). A hard freeze warning is issued when temperatures are expected to be 28 degrees or less. A Hard Freeze Watch may be issued a few days ahead of time if the potential exists for temperatures to fall into these thresholds.
At 7:30am we have 27° in Otsego, 28° in Kalamazoo, 28° in Wyoming, 27° in Lansing, 21° in Cadillac and 30° in Holland and South Haven, so most of the area met the hard freeze warning criteria and signals the end of our growing season.
Below is the map for the first 28° freeze based on median averages:
Today will be nicer than yesterday with sunny skies and temps warming to near 50 or so. Friday and Saturday will be another story all together with an unsettled pattern in place with rain moving in Friday afternoon and rain and snow showers on Saturday. Yes, I said the ‘s’ word… Snow showers will be induced by the colder upper atmosphere and downdrafts bringing that cold air and snow into the lower atmosphere. We may see the grassy areas receive a coating of the white stuff.
I’m liking this!!
https://www.weather.gov/images/grr/wxstory/Tab5FileL.png?0f2581bf508f2b190635f2334155779e
Much obliged, Michael. I did not know the timeframes of when these are used.
The updated CPC long range guess for November and beyond is now out. First for November it looks like their thinking is for a continued warm pattern into November
http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1
Slim
CPC’s winter guess
http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=2
Looks good Slim !
The grass was already “crispy” when the dogs went out at 11 PM last night – we woke up to 26 degree temps. But FINALLY the winds have let up – I have a crew re-siding our house, and the gales of the last 3 days made their work pretty miserable, between the wind chill, and the fact that everything wanted to blow away….
I had a low of 25.6 here. Hopefully the allergy symptoms will subside quickly now!
I know, right? I have been sneezing way more often than usual during the past week or so.
Here at Grand Rapids the current 30 year mean first 32° date is October 13th the range in the last 30 years has been from September 23rd in 1995 the latest November 12, 2016. The all time average is also October 13th with the range from September 3, 1946 to the latest of November 14, 1918. As for the hard freeze the 30 year average 1st date is October 27th the range is from September 28, 1991 and in the last 30 years the latest first 28(or colder) date was November 18, 2000. The all time average (since 1896) is October 28th the range is from that September 28, 1991 date and the latest date is in 1948 when Grand Rapids did not get to 28 or colder until November 29th. So this year is within the range of both the first 32 and 28 dates.
Slim
Very frosty out at thee YARDofBRICKS Im thinking above normal temps to mid November is off the charts now somebody’s thoughts earlier this month…25* degrees this morning had to start the car! The furnace has been running for a week now not ready for the gas bills this winter already going to be high and it’s only mid October! Looking now like a great chance of snow on Saturday as another cold front moves in who would of thought on game day! Have a blessed Thursday blogers stay warm!! INDYBLUE!!
+1
27degrees here this morning!! I see frost on all the rooftops.
With clear skies the current temperature here at my house is 26° and that is the overnight low. At GRR the low looks to be 27. This is the coldest it has been at Grand Rapids since April 17th It should be noted while there is frost out this morning there is not a whole lot of frost but here is ice in the bird bath. The last freeze in Grand Rapids was on April 30th so this year Grand Rapids has a 171 days growing season.
Slim