Frost Dates for 22963 — Palmyra, Virginia

Half of springs at Palmyra 3S, VA see their last 32°F night by April 23; only one in ten is past it by April 9, and one in ten still has one after May 11. Planting tender crops after April 30 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 4 20%, and after May 11 10%. The 18 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 52% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 21 in half of years, as early as October 8 one year in ten, and holds off past November 1 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around October 31; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 29, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 180 days in a typical year, shorter than at 76% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 200 days one year in ten and falls short of 160 one year in ten. On average 112 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 May 3, and return around October 12. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 7 and March 2.

July is the warmest month at Palmyra 3S, VA, averaging 86°F by day and 65°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 April (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 30% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,701 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 57% of the 128 Virginia stations. 36% of them (1,332) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 798. Precipitation totals 43.7 inches a year, most in September (4.3") and least in February (2.8"); May to September bring 46% of it.

The nearest other station, Bremo Bluff, VA, 11 miles south of Palmyra and 185 feet lower, has a last frost 5 days later (April 28), a first frost 4 days earlier (October 17), a season 8 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Palmyra usually arrives around December 20, and the last of the season around February 20. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Palmyra 3S, VA, 4.6 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Snow fell in 95% of those winters. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 62 days after the last snow.

ZIP 22963 is 5 miles from Palmyra 3S, VA, which stands at 410 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 22963 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.