Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

Frost dusts pumpkins

Near freezing temperatures and still air led to the first frost of the season in the Midlands Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

A second round of frost is expected today, as temperatures drop into the mid-30s again. Temperatures are expected to return closer to normal Wednesday, with lows in the 40s, too high to create more frost.

The lowest temperature reported Monday by weather service cooperative members in the Midlands was 29 degrees in Cedar Creek, near the Richland-Fairfield counties border. Pelion (31), Camden (32), Little Mountain (32) and Saluda (32) also made it down to freezing. The official low at Columbia Metropolitan Airport was 35, and at Columbia Owens-Hamilton Airport, 39.

Frost was reported in many locations, said Dave Schuetrum, a technician with the weather service office in Columbia. Frost was more likely in open areas outside urban centers.

- Joey Holleman

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