Frost Dates for 24087 — Elliston, Virginia

Half of springs at Blacksburg NWSO, VA see their last 32°F night by April 24; only one in ten is past it by April 11, and one in ten still has one after May 14. Planting tender crops after May 1 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 7 20%, and after May 14 10%. The 20 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 84% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 19 in half of years, as early as October 6 one year in ten, and holds off past November 1 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around October 29; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 27, 17 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 154 one year in ten. On average 125 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 12 days longer, to about May 6, and return around October 8. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 2 and March 3.

July is the warmest month at Blacksburg NWSO, VA, averaging 82°F by day and 61°F at night; January is the coldest at 42°F and 22°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 32% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,974 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 93% of the 128 Virginia stations. 35% of them (1,038) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 671. Precipitation totals 42.8 inches a year, most in May (4.5") and least in February (2.8"); May to September bring 47% of it.

The nearest other station, Copper Hill, VA, 11 miles southeast of Elliston and 743 feet higher, has a last frost 3 days earlier (April 21), a first frost 6 days later (October 25), a season 11 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Elliston usually arrives around December 24, and the last of the season around March 6. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Lafayette 1 NE, VA, 2.4 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 49 days after the last snow.

ZIP 24087 is 10 miles from Blacksburg NWSO, VA, which stands at 2,103 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 24060 (Blacksburg). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 24087 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.