October started slightly warm with an average temperature of 9.7 degrees Celsius, slightly above the normal of 9.4 degrees Celsius anticipated for the month. Given that the month will cool as it progresses, the average temperature for the month could be quite low.
The cool start was marked by a killing frost that was earlier than in recent years. The killing frost on the night of October 2 put an end to the growing season. The average date for a killing frost in the region is October 9.
So the corn heat unit (CHU) count came to an end on October 3, with a total accumulation of 3224 CHU since May 12, which is right on the norm of 3239 CHU.
Precipitation was minimal, with only 0.6 mm reported in the first nine days of the month.
