Frost Dates for 22901 — Charlottesville, Virginia

Half of springs at Charlottesville 2W, VA see their last 32°F night by April 2; only one in ten is past it by March 16, and one in ten still has one after April 14. Planting tender crops after April 7 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 10 20%, and after April 14 10%. The 12 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 97% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 10 in half of years, as early as October 29 one year in ten, and holds off past November 28 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around November 22; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 4, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 222 days in a typical year, longer than at 88% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 245 days one year in ten and falls short of 204 one year in ten. On average 77 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 April 12, and return around October 29. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 96% of winters, usually between January 6 and February 13.

July is the warmest month at Charlottesville 2W, VA, averaging 87°F by day and 68°F at night; January is the coldest at 45°F and 28°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 56% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,186 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 67% of the 128 Virginia stations. 37% of them (1,541) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 857. Precipitation totals 48.6 inches a year, most in September (5.2") and least in February (3.0"); May to September bring 48% of it.

The nearest other station, Free Union, VA, 5 miles west of Charlottesville and 276 feet lower, has a last frost 17 days later (April 19), a first frost 17 days earlier (October 24), a season 36 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Charlottesville usually arrives around December 10, and the last of the season around March 6. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Charlottesville 2W, VA, 3 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Snow fell in 97% of those winters. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 27 days after the last snow.

ZIP 22901 is 3 miles from Charlottesville 2W, VA, which stands at 866 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 22903 (Charlottesville). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 22901 in zone 7b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 5 to 10°F (-15.0 to -12.2°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.