LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The days are getting shorter, and the air is getting a little cooler as we continue through the month of October. That means that we will soon be waking up to a layer of frost coating the grass and even our windshields requiring a little extra elbow-work in the morning. Before getting into when Mid-Michigan sees our first frost, let’s see what frost is and what are the conditions needed for frost to form.
What is frost and how does it form:
According to the National Weather Service definition, frost is the formation of thin ice crystals on the ground or other surfaces. It can look like scales, needles, feathers and even fans. Frost can form during any time of the day but typically we see it developing overnight. This happens because the conditions are more favorable overnight than during the day.
In fact, the most favorable conditions for frost to occur are when we have clear skies, cooler temperatures and very calm winds. A few other conditions that are important to consider are the temperature of the air, dew point and the temperatures of the ground and outdoor surfaces.