The city of Reno has broken its record for the latest occurrence of the first freeze, surpassing the previous record set on November 16, 2016. This year, Reno experienced its first freeze on November 19, marking a significant delay. This phenomenon is part of a broader pattern across the United States, as highlighted in a report by Climate Central, a policy-neutral nonprofit organization.
According to the report, cities nationwide have generally experienced a 12-day postponement of the first freeze. However, Reno stands out with a delay of up to 40 days, the most extended delay recorded in the country.
The repercussions of this delay are notable. While a longer growing season might be beneficial in some respects, it also leads to increased water consumption and allows pests to persist longer than usual.
State climatologist Baker Perry commented on the situation, stating, “A lot of this is just due to urbanization trends and the fact we have a lot more of an urban landscape in Reno now in 2025 than we had in 1970. That urban heat element effect is pretty well established. And it’s playing a fairly substantial role in this delay of the first freeze as well.”
Perry further explained that Reno’s urban heat effect is more pronounced compared to areas like Boca Reservoir and Winnemucca, which share similar climatic conditions. These areas have seen delays in the first freeze consistent with the 12-day national average, primarily attributed to climate change. In contrast, Reno’s delay is significantly influenced by urban development.
