Frost Dates for 12184 — Valatie, New York

Half of springs at Valatie 1 N, NY see their last 32°F night by April 27; only one in ten is past it by April 14, and one in ten still has one after May 11. Planting tender crops after May 3 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 6 20%, and after May 11 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 14 in half of years, as early as October 1 one year in ten, and holds off past October 31 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around October 27; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 28, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 171 days in a typical year, longer than at 68% of the 173 New York stations; it reaches 191 days one year in ten and falls short of 152 one year in ten. On average 144 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 8, and return around October 3. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 2 and March 15.

July is the warmest month at Valatie 1 N, NY, averaging 84°F by day and 62°F at night; January is the coldest at 34°F and 16°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from October 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 37% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,856 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 78% of the 173 New York stations. 33% of them (937) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 697. Precipitation totals 42.1 inches a year, most in September (4.6") and least in January (2.2"); May to September bring 50% of it.

The nearest other station, Alcove Dam, NY, 14 miles west of Valatie and 307 feet higher, has a last frost 6 days later (May 3), a first frost 2 days earlier (October 12), a season 11 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Valatie usually arrives around December 3, and the last of the season around March 25. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at West Sand Lake 2 S, NY, 13.5 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 33 days after the last snow.

ZIP 12184 is 1 mile from Valatie 1 N, NY, which stands at 300 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 4 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 12033 (Castleton). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 12184 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.