Frost Dates for 13204 — Syracuse, New York

Half of springs at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, NY see their last 32°F night by April 29; only one in ten is past it by April 16, and one in ten still has one after May 13. Planting tender crops after May 5 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 8 20%, and after May 13 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 19 in half of years, as early as October 2 one year in ten, and holds off past November 4 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around November 2; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 30, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 173 days in a typical year, longer than at 70% of the 173 New York stations; it reaches 193 days one year in ten and falls short of 152 one year in ten. On average 133 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 9 days longer, to about May 8, and return around October 5. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 4 and March 19.

July is the warmest month at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, NY, averaging 82°F by day and 62°F at night; January is the coldest at 32°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 43% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,710 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 68% of the 173 New York stations. 32% of them (864) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 677. Precipitation totals 40.0 inches a year, most in July (3.9") and least in February (2.5"); May to September bring 45% of it.

The nearest other station, Brewerton Lock 23, NY, 13 miles north of Syracuse, has a last frost 5 days later (May 4), a first frost 8 days earlier (October 11), a season 15 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Syracuse usually arrives around November 8, and the last of the season around April 9. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, NY, 5.6 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 20 days after the last snow.

ZIP 13204 is 6 miles from Syracuse Hancock International Airport, NY, which stands at 413 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 27 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 13208 (Syracuse). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 13204 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.