Early Frost Records for Connecticut
By Quincy Vagell on September 23, 2012, 12:00pm
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With 30s sneaking into the forecast, let's take a look at early frost records.
For starters, there doesn't appear to be a precise record for an earliest frost in Connecticut. Such a stat is somewhat challenging to keep track of and it's difficult to know if perhaps a sheltered area with no observations may have seen an earlier frost than another spot.
With that said, we can look at some earliest recorded temperatures in the mid-30s. (frost can form on the ground when the air temperature, measured at 2 meters off the ground, is a few degrees above freezing. also, some surfaces may freeze quicker than others)
August 31st, 1965:
On this date, Bradley International Airport (BDL) dropped to a record low of 36 degrees. Whether or not the airport recorded frost is one thing, but it's fairly likely that some outlying areas did see frost on that date. That's pretty impressive to talk about frost in August!
September 7th, 1984: (and other years)
Multiple years on this date have recorded a low temperature of 37 degrees at BDL. Taking a look at some upper level charts, the setup on 9.7.1984 most likely supported frost. High pressure was directly over the area and with 850mb temperatures around +3C, I think there's a pretty good bet that some parts of CT saw frost that day. Radiational cooling would have maximized fairly well.
September 10th, 1978:
Another date with a record low temperature of 37 degrees at BDL. Weather charts are not readily available for that date, but again, frost was likely experienced in portions of CT on that date.
After September 10th, just about every day of the month has recorded low temperatures in the mid-30s or lower. So, even though frost on September 24th seems pretty impressive, it would not necessarily break any records. The record low for BDL on the date is 30 degrees and I think temperatures that low are out of reach.
What about the first freezing/sub-freezing temperature?
For BDL, September 20th, 1979 was the earliest date in a season in which the temperature has fallen to freezing. On that date, the low reached 30 degrees.
Don't forget the shoreline:
The earliest date in which Bridgeport has fallen into the mid-30s was when they bottomed out at 36 degrees on September 21st, 1956. As for for earliest freezing/sub-freezing temperature, that was on October 9th. (the specific year was not available)
Summary:
As Ralph said in his article, most areas in CT typically see a first frost sometime in October. For inland areas, it's earlier in the month and for coastal areas, it's later in the month. Frosts sometimes occur in late September and it's likely that frosts have happened as early as between September 7th and 10th. (some spots may have even seen frost on August 31st, 1965!)
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