Frost Dates for 24317 — Cana, Virginia

Half of springs at Mt Airy 2 W, NC see their last 32°F night by April 19; only one in ten is past it by April 4, and one in ten still has one after May 8. Planting tender crops after April 27 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 2 20%, and after May 8 10%. The 19 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 70% 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 11 one year in ten, and holds off past November 2 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 18, 20 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 186 days in a typical year, shorter than at 65% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 206 days one year in ten and falls short of 164 one year in ten. On average 111 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 May 2, and return around October 14. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 99% of winters, usually between December 16 and February 15.

July is the warmest month at Mt Airy 2 W, NC, averaging 86°F by day and 63°F at night; January is the coldest at 47°F and 25°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 23% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,603 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 62% of the 128 Virginia stations. 36% of them (1,289) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 769. Precipitation totals 50.4 inches a year, most in July (5.2") and least in February (3.1"); May to September bring 47% of it.

The nearest other station, Meadows Of Dan 5 SW, VA, 13 miles east of Cana and 1,145 feet higher, has a last frost 2 days later (April 21), a first frost 2 days later (October 25), a season 1 day shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Cana usually arrives around January 3, and the last of the season around February 27. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Mt Airy 2 W, NC, 7.9 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Snow fell in 89% of those winters. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 51 days after the last snow.

ZIP 24317 is 8 miles from Mt Airy 2 W, NC, which stands at 1,080 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 27030 (Mount Airy). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 24317 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.