First Frost—Wonder Wedneday

Photo: From farmersalmanac.com–hoar frost on blackberry bushes.

It's WONDER Wednesday!

This week's WONDER is the first frost. According to the forecast, the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan is in for the first frost of the season tonight. Other than an omen of cooler temps to come, what's notable about frost?

FROST DEFINED

According to the good folks at Wikipedia, frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above-freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor (a gas) to ice (a solid) as the water vapor reaches the freezing point.

MORE THAN ONE? Yes, there are six kinds of frost!

HERE ARE THE SIX TYPES OF FROST

• Hoar frost–forms on the ground and loosely attaches to objects.

• Advection frost–or wind frost, forms as tiny spikes in the direction of the wind generally on the edges of flower petals and leaves.

• Window frost–as the name suggests, forms when glass is exposed to very cold air resulting in intricate feathery patterns.

• White frost–solid frost that forms in the opposite direction of the wind.

• Black frost–or killing frost, technically not a form of frost, but the term is used to describe the blackening of vulnerable plants exposed to frost.

• Rime frost–occurs in humid condition and often shows up on ship rigging.

You've been warned–Jack Frost is on his way! Cover up those tender plants tonight and throw an extra blanket on the bed! 🥶