A strong cold front finally brought much-needed relief from unseasonably warm temperatures across much of the United States, ushering in the full-fledged feel of autumn. This week, more than 200 million Americans can feel cooler air, with the Midwest, Northeast, and parts of the Southeast feeling their first frosty mornings.
Temperature Drops and First Snowfall :– A cold air mass from Canada has swept temperatures in many areas down by 5-15°F. Cities as large as Chicago and Philadelphia hear their highs far short of the mid-50s, comparative lows to the season. Snow dusts Saranac Lake and Lake Placid in New York, making it an early winter within high-altitude regions. At the same time, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan received snowstorms that reached totals of up to 18 inches, destroying early October snowfall records.
Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories Issued
With morning lows dipping near or below freezing, the National Weather Service has issued freeze warnings across a broad stretch from the Midwest to the Southeast. Even the usually balmy southern regions of Alabama and parts of northern Florida have seen mornings unusually cold as temperatures dipped into the 30s—the earliest frost in some areas in years.
What to Expect Going Forward
Although the cold front will produce a couple of cool days, forecasters still anticipate warming temperatures into the latter third of the month. NOAA’s 10-day outlook shows recovery back above-average temperatures by late October, especially in the Upper Midwest and East Coast. For Halloween, it should be dry and cool, though there’s a risk of scattered frosts across the Northeast, while the chances for more snow events are minimal at this point, at least.
This short cold spell simply reminds everyone that autumn is finally here, effectively marking the tail end of the growing season in many regions. The reminder for gardeners would be to mulch over sensitive plants now, while pet owners should prepare for cool nights as the season progresses.