Frost Dates for 24333 — Galax, Virginia

Half of springs at Galax Wtp, VA see their last 32°F night by April 22; only one in ten is past it by April 7, and one in ten still has one after May 10. Planting tender crops after April 30 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 3 20%, and after May 10 10%. The 18 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 52% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 21 in half of years, as early as October 9 one year in ten, and holds off past November 1 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around October 30; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 23, 17 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 180 days in a typical year, shorter than at 76% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 197 days one year in ten and falls short of 159 one year in ten. On average 122 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 4, and return around October 12. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 6 and March 5.

July is the warmest month at Galax Wtp, VA, averaging 82°F by day and 61°F at night; January is the coldest at 43°F and 24°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 25% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,983 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 92% of the 128 Virginia stations. 35% of them (1,042) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 666. Precipitation totals 51.2 inches a year, most in September (5.4") and least in February (2.9"); May to September bring 47% of it.

The nearest other station, Galax Radio Wbrf, VA, 1 mile northeast of Galax, has a last frost 4 days later (April 26), a first frost 7 days earlier (October 14), a season 9 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Galax usually arrives around December 26, and the last of the season around March 16. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Galax Radio Wbrf, VA, 1.2 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 37 days after the last snow.

ZIP 24333 is under a mile from Galax Wtp, VA, which stands at 2,341 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 24333 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.