Frost Dates for 01351 — Montague, Massachusetts

Half of springs at Greenfield #3, MA see their last 32°F night by May 1; only one in ten is past it by April 19, and one in ten still has one after May 15. Planting tender crops after May 6 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 10 20%, and after May 15 10%. The 14 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 51% of the 71 Massachusetts stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 11 in half of years, as early as September 29 one year in ten, and holds off past October 28 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around October 25; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 4, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 162 days in a typical year, shorter than at 66% of the 71 Massachusetts stations; it reaches 183 days one year in ten and falls short of 144 one year in ten. On average 154 nights a year drop to 32°F or below. Nights of 36°F, when frost can still settle on leaves in low, open spots, continue 12 days longer, to about May 13, and return around October 1. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 30 and March 18.

July is the warmest month at Greenfield #3, MA, averaging 83°F by day and 59°F at night; January is the coldest at 33°F and 15°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from October to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to August the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 53% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,526 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 66% of the 71 Massachusetts stations. 31% of them (793) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 651. Precipitation totals 49.3 inches a year, most in June (4.8") and least in February (3.1"); May to September bring 44% of it.

The nearest other station, Leverett #2, MA, 6 miles south of Montague and 185 feet higher, has a last frost 1 day later (May 2), a first frost 2 days earlier (October 9), a season 2 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Montague usually arrives around November 25, and the last of the season around March 25. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Sunderland, MA, 6.4 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Every one of those winters saw snow. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 37 days after the last snow.

ZIP 01351 is 5 miles from Greenfield #3, MA, which stands at 130 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 6 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 01301 (Greenfield). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 01351 in zone 6a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -10 to -5°F (-23.3 to -20.6°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.