Will Cedar City See Frost By October 7 This Year?

Well, here we are on the first full day of autumn in 2025, and already we have had the predictions as to what kind of winter we are going to have here for 2025 and into 2026. Will it be the snowpocalypse that some people, including our water managers, are hoping for, or will it be another yawner. Or will it just be winter.

The Old Farmers Almanac has said that the first frost in Cedar City will be on October 7^th, or at least they say that is a 30% probability. The USU Extension folk say Cedar's average first frost date is October 5^th.

I looked at the Accuweather daily forecasts for Cedar City through October 15^th, and the low temperature is above freezing for that entire period (although getting close on the 15^th).

What Kind Of Winter Is Coming? Differing Views

But, beyond the first frost, what exactly can we expect for the upcoming winter?

The Old Farmers Almanac says our region will have a mild winter with fluctuating snow amounts, with the southern part (that's us) possibly getting higher amounts of snow.

The folks at the Climate Prediction Center see it a little different

On September 18^th , they released the 90 day outlook for the the country, and if (and this is a big if) their forecast is correct, the upcoming winter looks to be, well, winter.

As you can see in the map, our region is in the “likely above” probability of temperatures being warmer than normal. Now, keep in mind that “normal in the winter is still pretty cold. The average high temperature in Cedar City in January is 42. The average low is 19. So above normal could still be quite chilly. By the way, January 3^rd is usually the coldest day in Cedar City.

Read More: What's The Water Situation In Iron County?

Some have also been talking about the Almanac's forecast for what the winter of 2025-2026 will look like in our region. In the prognostication, the Almanac says our region will be “mild and snowy.”

Yet the Climate Prediction Center has a slightly different take. Looking at their forecast (ie best guess) for the three months of December, January and February, they say that we are “leaning below” as far as seasonal precipitation.

I suppose it's fun to speculate, and getting prepared for the changing seasons is a good idea. For example, have you checked your furnace? Changed the furnace filter? How's your wood supply if you use a fireplace of wood stove to help with heating? Have you checked and cleaned your chimney? And make sure to have your outside faucets and hoses ready for winter, because warm Autumn or not, it will get here.

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Now, as someone who has had the experience of several winters here in town, your probably curious as to what my bones and bunions are sensing what the winter will be like. I am more than happy to share that insight with you. Check with me next May.