Whats the difference between a frost and a freeze?
Frost is defined as a fuzzy covering of ice crystals that forms on surfaces at or below freezing. A frost also has come to mean a brief dip in temperatures to freezing or just below, with or without ice crystals. With ice crystals, the technical name is hoarfrost. Black frost refers to a dry freeze without ice crystals, which kills vegetation, turning it black. A freeze, on the other hand, occurs when the temperature drops well below freezing and may or may not include ice crystals. The amount of time below freezing to warrant a freeze warning varies depending on geography. Freeze warnings are issued when temperatures will be below freezing for a sufficient amount of time to do damage to vegetation. . There’s plenty more about frost, snow and ice on this USA TODAY resource page.
