Frost Dates for 14215 — Buffalo, New York

Half of springs at Buffalo, NY see their last 32°F night by April 24; only one in ten is past it by April 11, and one in ten still has one after May 9. Planting tender crops after April 30 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 3 20%, and after May 9 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 26 in half of years, as early as October 10 one year in ten, and holds off past November 9 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 27, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 183 days in a typical year, longer than at 79% of the 173 New York stations; it reaches 202 days one year in ten and falls short of 163 one year in ten. On average 124 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 4, 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 Buffalo, NY, averaging 80°F by day and 63°F at night; January is the coldest at 32°F and 19°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 27% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,711 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 68% of the 173 New York stations. 31% of them (845) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 671. Precipitation totals 40.8 inches a year, most in September (4.1") and least in February (2.5"); May to September bring 42% of it.

The nearest other station, N Tonawanda, NY, 9 miles north of Buffalo, has a last frost 12 days later (May 6), a first frost 11 days earlier (October 15), a season 23 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Buffalo usually arrives around November 9, and the last of the season around April 12. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Buffalo, NY, 3.9 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 12 days after the last snow.

ZIP 14215 is 4 miles from Buffalo, NY, which stands at 693 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 28 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 14221 (Williamsville). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 14215 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.