Frost Dates for 23605 — Newport News, Virginia

Half of springs at Langley AFB, VA see their last 32°F night by March 24; only one in ten is past it by March 9, and one in ten still has one after April 6. Planting tender crops after March 30 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 2 20%, and after April 6 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 15 in half of years, as early as November 3 one year in ten, and holds off past December 2 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 28; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 28, 9 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 238 days in a typical year, longer than at 96% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 261 days one year in ten and falls short of 217 one year in ten. On average 52 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 11 days longer, to about April 4, and return around November 5. 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 Langley AFB, VA, averaging 87°F by day and 71°F at night; January is the coldest at 49°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 26% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,646 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 92% of the 128 Virginia stations. 36% of them (1,692) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 906. Precipitation totals 47.8 inches a year, most in July (5.3") and least in February (2.9"); May to September bring 48% of it.

The nearest other station, Newport News International Airport, VA, 8 miles north of Newport News, has a last frost 8 days later (April 1), a first frost 6 days earlier (November 9), a season 17 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Newport News 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, 15.7 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 31 days after the last snow.

ZIP 23605 is 7 miles from Langley AFB, VA, which stands at 10 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 8 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 23666 (Hampton). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 23605 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.