Frost and Freeze Forecast

Frost and Freeze Forecast

While local gardeners and farmers are awaiting drier weather and dry field conditions, the National Weather Service at Paducah issued the annual freeze report.

According to the report, the average last freeze (32 degrees) is April 6, however, the latest last freeze fell on a May 7, back in 1944. The earliest last freeze was March 7, 2010.

The average date for the first freeze of the season is October 26. The earliest freeze recorded was Oct. 3, 1974. The lastest was Nov. 13, 1975.

The weather service also keeps track of hard freezes, when the temperatures drop to 28 or colder. That average date is November 6. The earliest hard freeze recorded was on Oct. 8, 1987, with the lastest recorded on Dec. 4, 1978.

The average last hard freeze falls on March 26. The earliest last hard freeze was on Feb. 28, 1977, with the latest falling on April 20, 1983.

Now, if one follows the old adage, fog in February means frost in April, then according to this reporter’s records, our last frost would fall on April 20, Easter weekend this year, as there was fog on Feb. 20….that remains to be seen.