Frost Dates for 10973 — Slate Hill, New York

Half of springs at Middletown 2 NW, NY see their last 32°F night by April 21; only one in ten is past it by April 9, and one in ten still has one after May 5. Planting tender crops after April 27 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 30 20%, and after May 5 10%. The 14 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 63% of the 173 New York stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 22 in half of years, as early as October 5 one year in ten, and holds off past November 4 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around November 2; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 24, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 182 days in a typical year, longer than at 77% of the 173 New York stations; it reaches 202 days one year in ten and falls short of 161 one year in ten. On average 123 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 10 days longer, to about May 1, and return around October 8. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 8 and March 15.

July is the warmest month at Middletown 2 NW, NY, averaging 82°F by day and 62°F at night; January is the coldest at 34°F and 18°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 20% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,813 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 75% of the 173 New York stations. 33% of them (925) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 691. Precipitation totals 44.4 inches a year, most in June (4.6") and least in February (2.1"); May to September bring 48% of it.

The nearest other station, Sussex 8 NNW, NJ, 10 miles southwest of Slate Hill and 320 feet higher, has a last frost 1 day earlier (April 20), a first frost 2 days earlier (October 20), a season 1 day shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Slate Hill usually arrives around December 6, and the last of the season around March 21. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Gardnerville, NY, 3.2 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 31 days after the last snow.

ZIP 10973 is 5 miles from Middletown 2 NW, NY, which stands at 700 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 7 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 10940 (Middletown). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 10973 in zone 6b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -5 to 0°F (-20.6 to -17.8°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.