Frost Dates for 23231 — Richmond, Virginia

Half of springs at Richmond International Airport, VA see their last 32°F night by April 3; only one in ten is past it by March 19, and one in ten still has one after April 18. Planting tender crops after April 9 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 13 20%, and after April 18 10%. The 15 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 70% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 4 in half of years, as early as October 23 one year in ten, and holds off past November 19 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around November 15; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 5, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 215 days in a typical year, longer than at 82% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 236 days one year in ten and falls short of 195 one year in ten. On average 74 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 13 days longer, to about April 16, and return around October 26. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 95% of winters, usually between January 5 and February 11.

July is the warmest month at Richmond International Airport, VA, averaging 90°F by day and 69°F at night; January is the coldest at 48°F and 29°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 60% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,543 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 87% of the 128 Virginia stations. 37% of them (1,690) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 910. Precipitation totals 45.5 inches a year, most in August (4.9") and least in February (2.6"); May to September bring 49% of it.

The nearest other station, Sandston, VA, 6 miles northeast of Richmond, has a last frost 4 days later (April 7), a first frost 3 days earlier (November 1), a season 9 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Richmond usually arrives around January 2, and the last of the season around March 4. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Richmond International Airport, VA, 2.8 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 30 days after the last snow.

ZIP 23231 is 3 miles from Richmond International Airport, VA, which stands at 164 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 14 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 23223 (Richmond). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 23231 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.