Tool · NOAA 1991–2020 normals
Compare Two Places
Frost dates, growing season and warmth of two US ZIP codes, side by side.
Burnsville, MN (55337) and Austin, TX (78745)
The last spring frost comes 44 days later in Burnsville, MN (April 23) than in Austin, TX (March 10). The first fall frost comes 30 days earlier in Burnsville, MN. That makes the typical freeze-free season 76 days shorter in Burnsville, MN: 176 days against 252. Austin, TX builds up 126% more warmth for growing: 6,708 growing degree days a year against 2,966. Their NOAA stations are 1,042 miles apart, 302 feet different in height.
| 55337 | 78745 | |
|---|---|---|
| NOAA station | Minneapolis/St Paul Airport, MN | Austin 6S, TX |
| Winters with a 32°F night | 100% | 100% |
| Last spring frost, 50% | April 23 | March 10 |
| Last spring frost, 10% risk | May 7 | March 31 |
| First fall frost, 50% | October 18 | November 17 |
| First fall frost, 10% risk | October 1 | November 1 |
| Freeze-free season, 50% | 176 days | 252 days |
| Nights ≤ 32°F a year | 147 | 29 |
| Growing degree days (50°F) | 2,966 | 6,708 |
| Warmest month, average high | 83°F | 97°F |
| Coldest month, average low | 9°F | 37°F |
| Precipitation a year | 31.7" | — |
Frost dates and weather by month for 55337 (Burnsville) →Frost dates and weather by month for 78745 (Austin) →
What the comparison shows
Each ZIP code is read from its nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities. The 50% dates are the middle of the record: half of years had their last spring frost later. The 10% dates are the cautious ones: only one year in ten had a frost after the spring date or before the fall date. The freeze-free season is the number of days between the last and first 32°F night in a typical year.
Growing degree days add up how far each day's average temperature rises above 50°F over a year; crops and insects develop roughly in step with them, so a place with 20% more has a warmer growing season even when its frost dates match. When the two ZIP codes share a station, their figures are the same; pick a farther place to see a difference.
For the chance of frost on a particular day, use frost risk by date; sources and limits are on the methodology page.