TOLEDO, Ohio — Now that temperatures have cooled down, giving us that first taste of fall, the chances for our first frost and freeze are here.
October is the month where temperatures could range from warm to cold and all different types of weather conditions. Ohio typically sees its first frost and freeze in October, but it varies depending on where you are.
In northwest Ohio, typically our first frost is Oct. 6 and freeze is Oct. 17.
In parts of Eastern and Central Ohio, some places, including Youngstown and Mansfield, see their first frost around Oct.1 and 2, and first freeze on Oct. 14.
Parts of northeastern Ohio, such as Cleveland, see their first frost around Oct. 14 and first freeze on Oct. 28.
Those in southern Ohio will see the first frost towards the end of October, between Oct. 21 and 31, and the first freeze close to Halloween.
For northwest Ohio, our first freeze occurs on Oct. 17, which is right on track with what our WTOL 11 Weather team is forecasting.
For the 2023-2024 season, our first frost and freeze was Oct. 23.
Each year can vary. The earliest Ohio has ever seen freeze was Sept. 14, 1975. The latest it's been on record was Nov. 15, 1915.
What's the difference between a frost, a freeze and a hard freeze?
FROST
Frost is droplets or dew on a surface that has frozen. This occurs when temperatures drop to the mid 30s with clear skies and calm winds.
This could be the first sign of a delayed or even the end of the growing season, called "killing frost."
A Frost Advisory could be issued, meaning the frost is expected to be widespread and to protect your plants.
FREEZE
When temperatures cool down to 32 degrees or cooler, this is considered a freeze.
If this continues long enough, this could kill crops.
A Freeze Watch or Freeze Warning could be issued, which a freeze could happen during growing season and to protect your plants.
HARD FREEZE
A hard freeze is when temperatures drop below 28 degrees. For a longer period of time, this could kill crops and plants and impact some pipes.
A Freeze Watch or Freeze Warning could be issued.
For more weather updates, follow the WTOL 11 Weather team.
