Minneapolis Still Hasn’t Hit Freezing 17 Days Past Normal, a Late Start Seen Only Five Times Since 1872, as Midwest Airports Wait Up to 18 Days for First Freeze
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — It is already November, and Minneapolis still has not dropped to freezing this fall. The city is now 17 days past its usual first freeze, a delay seen in only five other falls since records began in 1872.
Minneapolis is not alone. Airport weather stations across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes are also running days to weeks behind their typical first freeze dates.
Minneapolis Among the Latest First Freezes on Record
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| City | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Days late for first freeze | 17 days |
| Records began | 1872 |
| Falls with a freeze this late or later | Only 5 |
How Late Is the First Freeze Across the Midwest?
Readings from airport weather stations around the region show how far behind schedule the first freeze is running:
| Area | Days Late |
|---|---|
| Southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin area | 18 days |
| Minneapolis | 17 days |
| Central Iowa | 15 days |
| West Michigan | 15 days |
| Western Iowa | 14 days |
| Northern Indiana | 14 days |
| Central Illinois | 12 days |
| Northwest Missouri | 11 days |
| Southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky area | 10 days |
| Central Indiana | 9 days |
| Southeast Michigan | 8 days |
| Central Ohio | 8 days |
| Chicago area | 7 days |
Upper Midwest Running the Furthest Behind
The longest delays are in the Upper Midwest, where one station near the Minnesota and Wisconsin border is 18 days late, just ahead of Minneapolis at 17 days.
Iowa and Michigan Also Running Two Weeks Behind
Stations in central and western Iowa are running 14 to 15 days late, while west Michigan is also about 15 days behind its usual first freeze.
Ohio Valley and Chicago Closer to Normal
Areas farther south and east are running closer to normal, though still late:
- Chicago area: about 7 days late
- Central and southeast Ohio and southeast Michigan: about 8 days late
- Central Indiana: about 9 days late
Why the First Freeze Is So Late This Year
The late freeze follows an exceptionally warm October, when many areas across the Midwest and Great Lakes recorded their second or third warmest October on record. Warm air has continued into early November, with cities like Buffalo, New York, even setting record highs.
What a Late First Freeze Means
A delayed first freeze can bring:
- A longer growing season for gardens and late crops
- Extended pest activity, including mosquitoes and insects
- Later fall foliage and leaf drop
- Lower early heating costs for homeowners
Will the Freeze Arrive Soon?
A strong cold front is bringing a major temperature drop to parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, where frost is likely by Saturday morning. Some of the stations still waiting on their first freeze could finally reach it.
However, parts of the Upper Midwest, including Minneapolis, are expected to stay warmer than normal into the weekend, so the wait there may continue a little longer.
Tips Before the First Freeze Arrives
- Harvest remaining garden produce
- Cover or bring in tender plants when frost is forecast
- Disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor faucets
- Check your furnace before colder nights settle in
Stay with Bchssreport.com for the latest updates on this story.
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