PORTLAND, Maine – The sharpest chill of the season grips New England this morning as temperatures plunge into the low 30s, marking the region’s first widespread freeze of fall. Frost glistens across lawns and fields from southern Maine to southern New Hampshire, ending the growing season for many gardeners and farmers.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray, a Freeze Warning remains in effect until 8 a.m. Friday for most inland counties, including Oxford, Cumberland, York, and Strafford. Motorists on I-95 and the Spaulding Turnpike should expect patchy fog through early morning, reducing visibility to less than a mile in spots. Residents are urged to cover tender plants, protect outdoor plumbing, and allow extra travel time on rural routes.
The chill eases by Friday afternoon as skies clear and highs rebound into the lower 60s. A gradual warming trend continues through Sunday, setting up a comfortable weekend for pumpkin patch visits, leaf peeping, and early Halloween decorating.
According to forecasters, another weak front could bring showers late Sunday night into Monday, followed by seasonable highs in the upper 50s to near 60. No additional freezes are expected next week, though chilly mornings will linger across interior valleys.
For now, New Englanders can celebrate a bright, crisp stretch of classic fall weather — a brief pause between this morning’s frost and the milder pattern ahead.
Five-Day Forecast for Manchester, NH:
Fri: 61/38 – Clear and cool; patchy fog early, sunny later.
Sat: 67/44 – Mostly sunny; ideal for outdoor plans.
Sun: 61/47 – Clouding up; evening showers possible.
Mon: 56/45 – Showers likely; cooler breeze late.
Tue: 58/42 – Partly sunny; seasonable fall chill.
