Frost Dates for 04220 — Buckfield, Maine

Half of springs at Turner, ME 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 13. Planting tender crops after May 5 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 9 20%, and after May 13 10%. The 12 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 67% of the 52 Maine stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 10 in half of years, as early as September 29 one year in ten, and holds off past October 27 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 15 days later, around October 25; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 30, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 162 days in a typical year, longer than at 75% of the 52 Maine stations; it reaches 180 days one year in ten and falls short of 143 one year in ten. On average 155 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 September 30. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 27 and March 24.

July is the warmest month at Turner, ME, averaging 79°F by day and 59°F at night; January is the coldest at 28°F and 10°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 54% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,112 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 62% of the 52 Maine stations. 29% of them (606) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 589. Precipitation totals 48.1 inches a year, most in October (5.1") and least in February (3.0"); May to September bring 41% of it.

The nearest other station, Lewiston, ME, 15 miles southeast of Buckfield and 385 feet lower, has a last frost 6 days earlier (April 25), a first frost 9 days later (October 19), a season 15 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Buckfield usually arrives around November 13, and the last of the season around April 10. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Turner, ME, 5.6 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 21 days after the last snow.

ZIP 04220 is 6 miles from Turner, ME, which stands at 565 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 3 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 04282 (Turner). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 04220 in zone 5b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -15 to -10°F (-26.1 to -23.3°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.