Frost Dates for 14719 — Cattaraugus, New York

Half of springs at Little Valley, NY see their last 32°F night by May 17; only one in ten is past it by May 1, and one in ten still has one after May 31. Planting tender crops after May 24 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 27 20%, and after May 31 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 1 in half of years, as early as September 18 one year in ten, and holds off past October 17 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around October 15; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 21, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 136 days in a typical year, shorter than at 93% of the 173 New York stations; it reaches 158 days one year in ten and falls short of 115 one year in ten. On average 166 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 14 days longer, to about May 31, and return around September 20. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 22 and April 2.

July is the warmest month at Little Valley, NY, averaging 79°F by day and 55°F at night; January is the coldest at 31°F and 14°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from October to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to August the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 89% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 1,999 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 94% of the 173 New York stations. 31% of them (626) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 518. Precipitation totals 49.2 inches a year, most in July (5.2") and least in February (2.5"); May to September bring 46% of it.

The nearest other station, Perrysburg, NY, 11 miles northwest of Cattaraugus and 415 feet lower, has a last frost 14 days earlier (May 3), a first frost 19 days later (October 20), a season 32 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Cattaraugus usually arrives around November 7, and the last of the season around April 7. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Little Valley, NY, 6.5 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 40 days after the last snow.

ZIP 14719 is 7 miles from Little Valley, NY, which stands at 1,625 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 3 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 14772 (Randolph). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 14719 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.