Frost Dates for 08753 — Toms River, New Jersey

Half of springs at Toms River, NJ see their last 32°F night by April 23; only one in ten is past it by April 8, and one in ten still has one after May 12. Planting tender crops after April 30 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 5 20%, and after May 12 10%. The 19 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 91% of the 56 New Jersey stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 20 in half of years, as early as October 8 one year in ten, and holds off past November 1 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around November 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 28, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 179 days in a typical year, shorter than at 79% of the 56 New Jersey stations; it reaches 198 days one year in ten and falls short of 157 one year in ten. On average 116 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 11 days longer, to about May 4, and return around October 8. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 12 and March 7.

July is the warmest month at Toms River, NJ, averaging 86°F by day and 64°F at night; January is the coldest at 42°F and 22°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 28% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,176 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 80% of the 56 New Jersey stations. 32% of them (1,013) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 770. Precipitation totals 52.0 inches a year, most in December (5.8") and least in February (3.2"); May to September bring 42% of it.

The nearest other station, Long Branch-Oakhurst, NJ, 24 miles north of Toms River, has a last frost 14 days earlier (April 9), a first frost 14 days later (November 3), a season 29 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Toms River usually arrives around December 26, and the last of the season around March 12. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Freehold-Marlboro, NJ, 24 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 42 days after the last snow.

ZIP 08753 is 4 miles from Toms River, NJ, which stands at 10 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 18 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 08701 (Lakewood). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 08753 in zone 7a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 0 to 5°F (-17.8 to -15.0°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.