First Frost - Fall 2008

[CanisLupusArctos]

First frost of the new fall season is likely in many areas across the state
late tonight and tomorrow morning. Yesterday's thunderstorms and heavy rain
were caused by a cold air moving down from Canada, and it has now taken control.
With the cold air, high pressure is building into New England and will be
centered over us tonight. This will result in clear and calm conditions that
are perfect for radiational cooling. With no wind or cloud cover to help hold
some heat near the surface after dark, expect today's 65-degree warmth to
radiate back into space. Cold air will fall to the low spots such as valleys
while mountain summits will be a few degrees warmer.

Expect an end to the growing season across many mountain valleys in the northern
half of the state tonight, but there will be areas of frost scattered around the
rest of the state including the seacoast area. Temperatures in the mountain
valleys will likely drop to near 30 while the rest of the state should be within
3 degrees of 40. Remember... sub-freezing temperatures are not required for
frost to occur. To protect plant leaves from frost, cover them or bring them
inside.

Where there are bodies of water there will be fog resulting from the water
giving up its summertime heat to the cold dry air. Those traveling on nearby
roads may find travel delays due to the fog on Thursday morning. Any fog will
burn off within the first two hours of sunlight.