November 1 2021

Frost is likely to develop suburban areas the week inland from the cities and the Chesapeake Bay. Are we on schedule with what is normally expected?   

The map and regional charts below are based on 26 locations around Maryland with the average date when temperatures will reach 32F. It is important to note that it is possible to get frost with temperatures in the upper 30s. 

Also consider that some areas with varied terrain can have a wide range of first frost dates since warmer air holds on hill tops and cold air sinks in valleys on long autumn nights.

Are we on schedule? Well, close to it for the immediate suburbs Northwest of I-95. But father inland should have already had frost in the last two weeks in places like Westminster, Mount Airy, Frederick and Hagerstown.

Charts below have more details on early, average, and late dates. This is categorized in four regions of Maryland (western , central, southern, and eastern).

Average First Frost and Freeze Dates in Maryland

See the charts below for a breakdown of times per region.

Elevation and proximity to the water plays a big role in temperatures. You may want to compare this map of average snow in Maryland.

Save Your Plants

The University of Maryland points out that cold temperatures will improve the flavor and texture of kale, collards, cabbage, and turnip greens.  But bringing  tender annual flowers like geranium and begonia indoors before the first frost will help you keep them growing indoors through the winter.

Microclimates

You may have noticed your own microclimate that might not be represented on the map. That is a general display, the best I could make with the information and research I’ve found.

If you live near the water, either by the Chesapeake, a reservoir, or river, that can be a source of heat delaying early frosts nearby.

Regional Breakdown

In my 20 years on TV, I spent 14 of them in Baltimore TV working with hundreds of local Weatherbug stations.  I have a noticed wide range of temperatures on autumn mornings across single towns. Even in metro Baltimore. 

Ellicott City for example can have a range of 5 to 8 degrees on some mornings from the old historic valley area to the hill top near Rt 40.  I saw that between Dunloggin MS and Waverly ES often.

There are pockets of colder air near Bel Air/Fallston, Baltimore’s Hereford Zone, and even between Frederick and Mount Airy.

Western Maryland

Garrett , Allegheny, and Washington Counties

Central Maryland

Frederick, Montgomery, Carroll, Howard, Baltimore, and Harford Counties.

Also BWI for northern Anne Arundel County.

Southern Maryland

Anne Arundel (Annapolis), Prince Georges, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties.

Eastern Shore

Cecil and all Counties east of the Chesapeake Bay on The Delmarva Peninsula.

What about winter?

I am working on my formal winter outlook. The timing of first frost does not play a role, but there are many other factors. I have already presented a few, and I have a few more to share.  I aim to have my call for seasonal snowfall to show you in the next 7 to 10 days.

Winter Weather Page:  Stats, Maps, And Tracks

Also See The Winter Outlook Series:

Winter Folklore Checklist

NOAA Winter Outlook- But Read The Fine Print

Signals For Early Start To Winter In November

Winter Outlook Series: La Nina Double Dip

Nor’easters May Give Hint For Winter La Nina Pattern

Faith in the Flakes Gear

SNOWSTIX – Available Now