Frost Dates for 12780 — Sparrow Bush, New York

Half of springs at Matamoras, PA see their last 32°F night by May 2; only one in ten is past it by April 20, and one in ten still has one after May 17. Planting tender crops after May 8 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 11 20%, and after May 17 10%. The 15 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 29% of the 173 New York stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 12 in half of years, as early as October 1 one year in ten, and holds off past October 27 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around October 23; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 4, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 164 days in a typical year, longer than at 54% of the 173 New York stations; it reaches 181 days one year in ten and falls short of 144 one year in ten. On average 151 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 14, and return around October 3. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 1 and March 15.

July is the warmest month at Matamoras, PA, averaging 82°F by day and 59°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 54% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,506 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 50% of the 173 New York stations. 32% of them (807) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 628. Precipitation totals 47.3 inches a year, most in June (5.4") and least in February (2.9"); May to September bring 45% of it.

The nearest other station, Port Jervis, NY, 3 miles southeast of Sparrow Bush, has a last frost 3 days later (May 5), a first frost 2 days earlier (October 10), a season 6 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Sparrow Bush usually arrives around November 25, and the last of the season around April 6. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Matamoras, PA, 2.6 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 26 days after the last snow.

ZIP 12780 is 3 miles from Matamoras, PA, which stands at 459 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 18337 (Milford). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 12780 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.