Frost Dates for 23452 — Virginia Beach, Virginia

Half of springs at Oceana NAS, VA see their last 32°F night by March 29; only one in ten is past it by March 13, and one in ten still has one after April 11. Planting tender crops after April 3 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 6 20%, and after April 11 10%. The 13 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 91% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 12 in half of years, as early as November 1 one year in ten, and holds off past November 30 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 25; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 31, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 230 days in a typical year, longer than at 94% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 254 days one year in ten and falls short of 210 one year in ten. On average 50 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 11, and return around November 2. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 100% of winters and 16°F in 69%.

July is the warmest month at Oceana NAS, VA, averaging 87°F by day and 70°F at night; January is the coldest at 50°F and 32°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to March (a 90% chance or more). From May to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 38% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,623 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 90% of the 128 Virginia stations. 36% of them (1,668) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 894. Precipitation totals 47.0 inches a year, most in July (5.8") and least in February (2.8"); May to September bring 50% of it.

The nearest other station, Norfolk International Airport, VA, 7 miles northwest of Virginia Beach, has a last frost 12 days earlier (March 17), a first frost 11 days later (November 23), a season 22 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Virginia Beach usually arrives around January 14, and the last of the season around February 21. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Norfolk International Airport, VA, 7 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Snow fell in 83% of those winters. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 36 days after the last snow.

ZIP 23452 is 4 miles from Oceana NAS, VA, which stands at 23 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 4 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 23456 (Virginia Beach). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 23452 in zone 8b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 15 to 20°F (-9.4 to -6.7°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.