Frost Dates for 22551 — Spotsylvania, Virginia

Half of springs at Fredericksburg Sewage, VA see their last 32°F night by April 6; only one in ten is past it by March 23, and one in ten still has one after April 22. Planting tender crops after April 13 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 17 20%, and after April 22 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 59% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 1 in half of years, as early as October 19 one year in ten, and holds off past November 12 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around November 11; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 8, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 207 days in a typical year, longer than at 73% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 225 days one year in ten and falls short of 187 one year in ten. On average 101 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 15 days longer, to about April 21, and return around October 22. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 98% of winters, usually between December 28 and February 17.

July is the warmest month at Fredericksburg Sewage, VA, averaging 89°F by day and 68°F at night; January is the coldest at 46°F and 25°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to March (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 69% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,097 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 62% of the 128 Virginia stations. 36% of them (1,470) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 869. Precipitation totals 43.4 inches a year, most in July (4.8") and least in February (2.5"); May to September bring 47% of it.

The nearest other station, Corbin, VA, 18 miles east of Spotsylvania and 160 feet higher, has a last frost 8 days later (April 14), a first frost 5 days earlier (October 27), a season 12 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Spotsylvania usually arrives around December 31, and the last of the season around February 15. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Corbin, VA, 17.8 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 50 days after the last snow.

ZIP 22551 is 16 miles from Fredericksburg Sewage, VA, which stands at 60 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 7 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 22407 (Fredericksburg). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 22551 in zone 7a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 0 to 5°F (-17.8 to -15.0°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.