Frost Dates for 24501 — Lynchburg, Virginia

Half of springs at Lynchburg #2, VA see their last 32°F night by April 17; only one in ten is past it by April 3, and one in ten still has one after May 4. Planting tender crops after April 23 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 28 20%, and after May 4 10%. The 17 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 48% of the 128 Virginia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 25 in half of years, as early as October 12 one year in ten, and holds off past November 6 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around November 3; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 15, 19 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 190 days in a typical year, shorter than at 59% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 209 days one year in ten and falls short of 168 one year in ten. On average 119 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 April 30, and return around October 15. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 16 and February 20.

July is the warmest month at Lynchburg #2, VA, averaging 85°F by day and 65°F at night; January is the coldest at 46°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 16% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,589 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 63% of the 128 Virginia stations. 36% of them (1,298) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 772. Precipitation totals 43.8 inches a year, most in May (4.2") and least in February (2.9"); May to September bring 45% of it.

The nearest other station, Lynchburg Regional Airport, VA, 5 miles southwest of Lynchburg and 204 feet higher, has a last frost 2 days earlier (April 15), a first frost 1 day earlier (October 24), a season 1 day longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Lynchburg usually arrives around December 26, and the last of the season around March 4. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Lynchburg Regional Airport, VA, 5.4 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Snow fell in 93% of those winters. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 44 days after the last snow.

ZIP 24501 is 4 miles from Lynchburg #2, VA, which stands at 736 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 7 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 24502 (Lynchburg). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 24501 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.