Frost Dates for 14891 — Watkins Glen, New York

Half of springs at Mecklenburg 4SW, NY see their last 32°F night by May 10; only one in ten is past it by April 26, and one in ten still has one after May 26. Planting tender crops after May 16 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 20 20%, and after May 26 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 71% of the 173 New York stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 8 in half of years, as early as September 25 one year in ten, and holds off past October 25 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 16 days later, around October 24; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 13, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 150 days in a typical year, shorter than at 75% of the 173 New York stations; it reaches 173 days one year in ten and falls short of 129 one year in ten. On average 156 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 13 days longer, to about May 23, and return around September 26. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 29 and March 30.

July is the warmest month at Mecklenburg 4SW, NY, averaging 79°F by day and 56°F at night; January is the coldest at 30°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 76% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,073 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 84% of the 173 New York stations. 31% of them (640) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 547. Precipitation totals 39.0 inches a year, most in June (4.3") and least in February (2.0"); May to September bring 49% of it.

The nearest other station, Elmira Corning Regional Airport, NY, 15 miles south of Watkins Glen and 555 feet lower, has a last frost 1 day earlier (May 9), a first frost 1 day later (October 9), a season 1 day longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Watkins Glen usually arrives around November 12, and the last of the season around April 8. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Corning, NY, 18.4 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 32 days after the last snow.

ZIP 14891 is 9 miles from Mecklenburg 4SW, NY, which stands at 1,510 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 14886 (Trumansburg). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 14891 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.