When conditions line up
Frost
The first cold, clear morning that turns every leaf silver.
When and where to look
Clear, calm nights in the colder months, especially the first ones of autumn. It is best just after sunrise, before the sun reaches it.
Why it happens
Frost forms when surfaces cool below freezing and the water in the air freezes straight onto them as ice crystals. It can form on grass and car roofs even when the air a little higher up stays just above freezing.
How to catch one
- Go out early, before the sun touches the ground.
- Look closely at leaf edges, spider webs and car roofs for crystal patterns.
- Low ground and open fields frost first; under trees often stays clear.
Nature notifications
Wildlife, seasonal changes, weather and sky events near you.