On March 10th, 2012 Dodge City’s low temperature dropped to 29 °F. What is remarkable about that is it is the earliest date for a last spring freeze on record for Dodge City. Manhattan, Salina, Wichita, and Columbus also recorded the last freeze of the season on March 10th. Topeka and Olathe both recorded their last freeze a day earlier on March 9th. Keep in mind that the average date for the last spring freeze in these locations range from April 23rd in the Dodge City area to April 15th in the Olathe area. For Dodge City, the latest spring freeze date is May 15th set in 2004. For Columbus, it is May 9th, set in 1924. And for Manhattan, the latest date for a spring freeze is May 27th, 1907.
Mary Knapp, Weather Data Library
mknapp@ksu.edu