Frost Dates for 04274 — Poland, Maine

Half of springs at Poland, ME see their last 32°F night by May 3; only one in ten is past it by April 23, and one in ten still has one after May 16. Planting tender crops after May 8 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 11 20%, and after May 16 10%. The 13 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 33% of the 52 Maine stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 7 in half of years, as early as September 27 one year in ten, and holds off past October 23 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 15 days later, around October 22; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 1, 15 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 157 days in a typical year, longer than at 62% of the 52 Maine stations; it reaches 176 days one year in ten and falls short of 139 one year in ten. On average 156 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 15, and return around September 29. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 26 and March 24.

July is the warmest month at Poland, ME, averaging 78°F by day and 59°F at night; January is the coldest at 27°F and 11°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 63% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 1,979 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 52% of the 52 Maine stations. 28% of them (562) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 566. Precipitation totals 49.2 inches a year, most in October (5.9") and least in February (3.0"); May to September bring 42% of it.

The nearest other station, Lewiston, ME, 9 miles east of Poland and 390 feet lower, has a last frost 8 days earlier (April 25), a first frost 12 days later (October 19), a season 20 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Poland usually arrives around November 13, and the last of the season around April 8. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Poland, ME, 3.3 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 25 days after the last snow.

ZIP 04274 is 3 miles from Poland, ME, which stands at 570 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 04270 (Oxford). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 04274 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.