Fall is losing its chill

ATLANTA — If fall feels a little warmer — and a lot longer — than it used to, you’re not imagining things.

A new study shows every county in the contiguous U.S. has warmed since 1970 due to climate change. Not only has this led to higher energy bills and a longer allergy season, the trend has significantly pushed back first fall freeze dates.

“In fact, of 204 cities analyzed, 88% of them see their first fall freeze happen on average almost two weeks later,” said Climate Central meteorologist Shel Winkley. “In places like Reno, Nevada, and Bend, Oregon, that delay is typically more than a month.”

It’s not only happening in the West. From coast to coast, fall is losing some of its familiar chill.

Climate Central’s study shows Toledo, Ohio’s first freeze is arriving 29 days later on avera