Frost Dates for 18446 — Nicholson, Pennsylvania

Half of springs at Montrose, PA see their last 32°F night by May 14; only one in ten is past it by April 29, and one in ten still has one after May 28. Planting tender crops after May 21 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 24 20%, and after May 28 10%. The 14 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 86% of the 176 Pennsylvania stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 2 in half of years, as early as September 20 one year in ten, and holds off past October 15 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around October 15; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 20, 8 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 141 days in a typical year, shorter than at 93% of the 176 Pennsylvania stations; it reaches 161 days one year in ten and falls short of 122 one year in ten. On average 168 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 26, and return around September 23. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 22 and March 31.

July is the warmest month at Montrose, PA, averaging 80°F by day and 56°F at night; January is the coldest at 31°F and 13°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 83% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,067 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 94% of the 176 Pennsylvania stations. 31% of them (644) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 549. Precipitation totals 46.7 inches a year, most in June (4.6") and least in February (2.8"); May to September bring 47% of it.

The nearest other station, Pleasant Mt 1 W, PA, 17 miles northeast of Nicholson and 380 feet higher, has the same 50% last-frost date, a first frost 1 day earlier (October 1), a season 1 day shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Nicholson usually arrives around November 9, and the last of the season around April 8. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Montrose, PA, 15.6 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 36 days after the last snow.

ZIP 18446 is 16 miles from Montrose, PA, which stands at 1,420 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 4 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 18801 (Montrose). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 18446 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.