Frost/Freeze in Debeque To Silt Corridor, Colorado

The KRIL ASOS at the Garfield County Regional Airport recorded a minimum temperature of 32F, while the minimum at any of the 8 available sensors was 21F. A total of 4 of the available 8 sensors recorded at least 3 hours of temperatures at or below 32F, with an average 3.5 hours, a maximum of 9 hours, and a minimum of 0 hours. Therefore this qualified as a standard freeze event. Temperatures were at or below 28F for an average of only 1 hour, which does not meet the 3 hour minimum to qualify as a hard freeze. However, the maximum duration of temperatures being below 28F was 7 hours, meaning that localized hard freeze conditions did occur. No reports of crop damages or losses were received.

Once the growing season is underway, freeze products are needed even when a widespread freeze or hard freeze has occurred as recently as the night before, if conditions warrant. Such was the case on the night of the 19th to the 20th, as continued cold air advection behind a departing low pressure combined with good radiational cooling conditions to lead to widespread temperatures at or below 32F in the lower valleys.