Frost Dates for 24256 — Haysi, Virginia

Half of springs at Breaks Interstate Park, VA see their last 32°F night by April 22; only one in ten is past it by April 8, and one in ten still has one after May 8. Planting tender crops after April 29 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 2 20%, and after May 8 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 59% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 23 in half of years, as early as October 10 one year in ten, and holds off past November 4 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around November 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 25, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 182 days in a typical year, shorter than at 72% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 201 days one year in ten and falls short of 163 one year in ten. On average 118 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 10 days longer, to about May 2, and return around October 14. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 8 and March 5.

July is the warmest month at Breaks Interstate Park, VA, averaging 82°F by day and 62°F at night; January is the coldest at 43°F and 23°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 24% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,261 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 79% of the 128 Virginia stations. 36% of them (1,180) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 684.

The nearest other station, Clintwood 1W, VA, 12 miles southwest of Haysi and 327 feet lower, has a last frost 7 days later (April 29), a first frost 7 days earlier (October 16), a season 13 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Haysi usually arrives around November 18, and the last of the season around March 28. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Clintwood 1W, VA, 11.6 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 25 days after the last snow.

ZIP 24256 is 5 miles from Breaks Interstate Park, VA, which stands at 1,893 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 41501 (Pikeville). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 24256 in zone 7a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 0 to 5°F (-17.8 to -15.0°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.