Frost Dates for 23602 — Newport News, Virginia

Half of springs at Newport News International Airport, VA see their last 32°F night by April 1; only one in ten is past it by March 18, and one in ten still has one after April 18. Planting tender crops after April 7 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 11 20%, and after April 18 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 November 9 in half of years, as early as October 31 one year in ten, and holds off past November 25 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around November 20; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 4, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 221 days in a typical year, longer than at 86% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 241 days one year in ten and falls short of 203 one year in ten. On average 64 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 14 days longer, to about April 15, and return around October 31. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 100% of winters and 16°F in 83%.

July is the warmest month at Newport News International Airport, VA, averaging 88°F by day and 70°F at night; January is the coldest at 49°F and 31°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 50% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,627 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 91% of the 128 Virginia stations. 37% of them (1,700) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 907. Precipitation totals 45.5 inches a year, most in August (5.4") and least in February (2.6"); May to September bring 50% of it.

The nearest other station, Langley AFB, VA, 10 miles east of Newport News, has a last frost 8 days earlier (March 24), a first frost 6 days later (November 15), a season 17 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Newport News usually arrives around January 9, and the last of the season around February 16. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at N, VA, 22.4 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 44 days after the last snow.

ZIP 23602 is 2 miles from Newport News International Airport, VA, which stands at 42 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 11 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 23608 (Newport News). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 23602 in zone 8a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 10 to 15°F (-12.2 to -9.4°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.