A smattering of low temperatures in the upper 30s across our region Tuesday morning (Fargo Moorhead was 42.) has raised a few questions about early frosts. Yes, there is some history of August frost in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota.
The most recent siting of frost in Fargo Moorhead was on August 20, 2004. The temperature at Hector International Airport registered 34 degrees but frost was visible on many rooftops and car hoods and a few gardens did receive light frost damage. Another early nip happened on August 27 of 1982. The Hector thermometer registered 33 degrees that morning. The 1960s was generally a very cold decade and there were early light frosts on August 13, 1964 (33 degrees) and August 14, 1968 (35 degrees).
The Fargo Moorhead record has only two actual freezing temperatures on record in August. It was 32 degrees on August 25, 1885, and on August 31, 1886.
