THE NATURE OF GROWING SEASON FROSTS IN AND ALONG THE PLATTE VALLEY OF NEBRASKA

Abstract

Historical frost events (minimum shelter temperature ≤32° F.) were studied at 10 locations within and adjacent to the Platte Valley of Nebraska and the cause of these frosts was determined with the aid of synoptic maps. Frost series based upon last spring or first fall advection or radiation are defined and found to be random and normally distributed. The ?potential growing season?, defined as the interval between last spring and first fall advection frosts, is found to be from 15 to 32 days longer than the ?growing season? defined by the interval from last spring to first fall occurrences of minimum shelter temperature of 32° F. or below. The numbers of annual spring and fall radiation frosts and the number of days between last two spring and first two fall radiation frosts are presented to permit estimates of the practicality of frost protection for specialized crops in the area of study.