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  • Wed. Oct 23rd, 2024
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    In Delaware, warm weather can delay fall frosts
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    In Delaware, warm weather can delay fall frosts

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    It's mid-October and a time when Delaware is typically preparing for the first frost. Typical dates are between October 21st and 31st. However, this year the frost may be delayed.

    Next week, forecasts predict daytime highs near 80 degrees and nighttime temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

    According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions exist across Delaware, with portions of Sussex County and portions of New Castle and Kent counties experiencing severe drought. Wilmington and Georgetown both reported the driest September on record.

    Although the arrival of frost may be delayed, gardeners and farmers should still keep a close eye on local weather forecasts.

    With each day that passes, the chance of frost increases, and by mid-November, almost all areas of the state typically experience at least one frost event.

    FIRE HAZARD: Delaware state fire marshal implements burn ban during statewide drought

    How frost occurs

    The formation of frost is difficult to predict because it requires calm winds, clear skies and sufficient humidity.

    The ice sheet forms when the surface temperature reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, causing ice crystals to form on the ground. Interestingly, frost can occur even at air temperatures of around 30°C if the ground is cooler than the air.

    Frost Risks in Delaware

    Frost times also vary depending on location – frost tends to occur later in coastal areas than in inland regions. The National Garden Association offers a tool that shows the likelihood of the first frost in different parts of Delaware. Here are the frost probabilities for select cities and towns in Delaware:

    • The risk of frost in Milton begins around October 21st, and the area has a 50% chance of frost through November 5th.
    • Dover has a 50% chance of frost from October 30th.
    • Frost season in Seaford typically begins around October 12th, with a 50% chance of 32°C frost from October 30th.
    • The risk of frost in Newark increases as early as October 10th and by November 2nd there will have been at least one frost event.
    • The risk of frost in Wilmington begins around October 16th and there is a 50% chance of a 32 degree frost around October 30th.

    You can CContact Anitra Johnson at [email protected].

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