Frost Dates for 12189 — Watervliet, New York

Half of springs at Troy L&D, NY see their last 32°F night by April 19; only one in ten is past it by April 6, and one in ten still has one after May 3. Planting tender crops after April 23 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 28 20%, and after May 3 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 26 in half of years, as early as October 11 one year in ten, and holds off past November 10 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around November 6; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 20, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 190 days in a typical year, longer than at 86% of the 173 New York stations; it reaches 209 days one year in ten and falls short of 168 one year in ten. On average 131 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 1, and return around October 13. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 10 and March 15.

July is the warmest month at Troy L&D, NY, averaging 86°F by day and 64°F at night; January is the coldest at 34°F and 17°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 15% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,188 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 89% of the 173 New York stations. 33% of them (1,036) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 770. Precipitation totals 42.0 inches a year, most in June (4.6") and least in February (2.4"); May to September bring 49% of it.

The nearest other station, Albany Airport, NY, 5 miles west of Watervliet and 297 feet higher, has a last frost 8 days later (April 27), a first frost 11 days earlier (October 15), a season 21 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Watervliet usually arrives around December 4, and the last of the season around March 23. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Troy L&D, NY, 1.9 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 27 days after the last snow.

ZIP 12189 is 2 miles from Troy L&D, NY, which stands at 15 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 11 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 12180 (Troy). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 12189 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.