Summer ends with first 0°C readings across Alberta

There are still a couple of days left until the official start to fall on Saturday, but a rather cool pattern is already taking shape, leaving the last days of summer on a frosty note in parts of Alberta.

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Before this week, temperatures had not yet actually reached 0°C for many in Alberta so far this month, which may come as a surprise to many Albertans who are used to major snowfall events in late August or September. But this year Alberta has remained above seasonal for much of September.

Cold mornings have returned to the region, and some areas are plummeting towards the zero-degree mark, with several major cities in central and northern Alberta reaching their first freezing temperature of the season this week.

Baron - ABTemps - Sept20
Baron - ABTemps - Sept20

Cold and frosty mornings will continue for the rest of the week before overnight temperatures increase for the weekend, and the kickoff to the fall season.

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The average date of first frosts varies greatly across Alberta, as it's a large province from south to north, but also the vast differences in elevation from flatland Prairie land to the mountains.

Baron - AB fall frost - Sept20
Baron - AB fall frost - Sept20

Latest Dates for first frost on record

  • Edmonton (City) - Oct 23, 2022

  • Calgary - October 19, 1963

  • Red Deer - October 7, 1963

It's not likely that we'll beat these latest frost records, as there is the chance for colder air to start off October.

Thumbnail image courtesy: Getty Images.