Killing Frost and Freeze to Hit Central Pennsylvania

By Henry Margusity, Expert Senior Meteorologist

October 11,2012; 7:46AM,EDT

 

 

 

  

 Image showing temperatures Saturday morning. The light blue indicate temperatures in the 20'

 

 

 

It's that time of the year when the first killing frost/freeze hits central Pennsylvania. Typically, mid-October is when the first killing frost hits although light frosts can occur as early as mid-September.
Some areas of central Pennsylvania did have some frost in late September, but the duration of the frost and the extent of the frost did not kill most garden plants.
The cold air coming for Saturday morning will allow for a longer-duration frost and freeze and will also allow temperatures outside of the towns to dip will into the 20s, if not the teens.
The high pressure system bringing the cold weather originated in northern Canada and will park itself right over central Pennsylvania by Saturday morning. That will promote clear skies and calm winds which is the best setup for what meteorologist call "radiational cooling."
With the cold weather coming, you still have time to protect your plants. Covering them with buckets or blankets will prevent the frost from forming on the plants and may allow your plants to continue until the next threat of frost and freeze comes along.