First fall freeze can't be far off

Local gardeners are lamenting the imminent end of the growing season for tomatoes, peppers and zucchini. 

 Weiser and the surrounding area are likely to see the first freeze of the fall season in the near future, possibly within the next week or so, according to historical data compiled by the National Weather Service.

 Based on the historical averages, Weiser is likely to see the overnight low temperature drop below the freezing mark of 32 Weiser has not hit the freezing mark of 32 degrees yet this fall, which officially began on Sept. 22, although it has gotten close. 

 The coldest temperature in September was 36 degrees for nightly lows on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. 

 The first hard freeze, when the temperature drops to 28 degrees, typically happens by Oct. 20- 25 in the western end of the Treasure Valley. 

 The first really hard freeze, which is described as 24 degrees or colder, typically arrives in early November, but can occur in late October in places like Parma and Vale, Ore. 

 Around the region, Nyssa on average sees the first hard freeze of 24 degrees by Nov. 8, while it comes a little earlier to Payette, usually by Nov. 1. The temperature has usually reached an overnight low of 24 degrees in Parma by Oct. 29. 

 The last time the daytime high temperature reached 90 degrees was back on Sept. 7. 

 September was another dry month in the west end of the Treasure Valley. The region typically receives about .39 inches of rain during the month, but not this year. The NWS recorded only little more than a trace for the month at .02 inches.