October 10, 2012

This year fall freeze occurred earlier than normal for most locations in eastern Nebraska; however, western Nebraska, and the Panhandle in particular, experienced its first fall freeze up to 10 days later than normal.

In Lincoln the first fall freeze was September 23 compared to the longer term average of October 12. Scottsbluff  and North Platte experienced their first fall freeze on Sept 26 and Sept 29 respectively, two to six days later than normal for those locations.

Figure 1 shows long-term average first fall freeze dates across the state. Longer term average first fall freeze dates are between the second and fourth week of September in western Nebraska, first week of October in central Nebraska, and second week of October in southeastern Nebraska. This year, first fall freeze occurred approximately two to three weeks earlier for central and southeast Nebraska and approximately one week later than average for western Nebraska.

Tapan Pathak
Climate Variability Extension Educator