Frost Dates for 23117 — Mineral, Virginia

Half of springs at Louisa, VA see their last 32°F night by April 26; only one in ten is past it by April 9, and one in ten still has one after May 13. Planting tender crops after May 2 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 6 20%, and after May 13 10%. The 17 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 48% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 20 in half of years, as early as October 7 one year in ten, and holds off past November 1 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around October 29; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 30, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 175 days in a typical year, shorter than at 83% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 196 days one year in ten and falls short of 153 one year in ten. On average 110 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 6, and return around October 10. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 7 and March 4.

July is the warmest month at Louisa, VA, averaging 87°F by day and 65°F at night; January is the coldest at 45°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 34% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,815 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 52% of the 128 Virginia stations. 37% of them (1,412) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 804. Precipitation totals 44.2 inches a year, most in September (4.5") and least in February (2.7"); May to September bring 47% of it.

The nearest other station, Piedmont Rsch Stn, VA, 21 miles northwest of Mineral, has a last frost 19 days earlier (April 7), a first frost 10 days later (October 30), a season 29 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Mineral usually arrives around December 23, and the last of the season around February 18. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Louisa, VA, 7.9 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 67 days after the last snow.

ZIP 23117 is 8 miles from Louisa, VA, which stands at 420 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 23093 (Louisa). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 23117 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.