Frost Dates for 24517 — Altavista, Virginia

Half of springs at Lynchburg Regional Airport, VA see their last 32°F night by April 15; only one in ten is past it by March 30, and one in ten still has one after May 3. Planting tender crops after April 21 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 27 20%, and after May 3 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 24 in half of years, as early as October 12 one year in ten, and holds off past November 5 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around November 3; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 15, 18 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 191 days in a typical year, shorter than at 57% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 211 days one year in ten and falls short of 169 one year in ten. On average 95 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 28, and return around October 15. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 17 and February 24.

July is the warmest month at Lynchburg Regional Airport, VA, averaging 87°F by day and 65°F at night; January is the coldest at 46°F and 26°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to March (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 85% of years and May still brings one in 14% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,846 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 51% of the 128 Virginia stations. 37% of them (1,419) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 804. Precipitation totals 42.9 inches a year, most in July (4.2") and least in February (2.9"); May to September bring 45% of it.

The nearest other station, Lynchburg #2, VA, 18 miles north of Altavista and 204 feet lower, has a last frost 2 days later (April 17), a first frost 1 day later (October 25), a season 1 day shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Altavista 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, 13.9 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 42 days after the last snow.

ZIP 24517 is 14 miles from Lynchburg Regional Airport, VA, which stands at 940 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 3 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 24588 (Rustburg). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 24517 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.