Frost Dates for 24554 — Gladys, Virginia

Half of springs at Brookneal, VA see their last 32°F night by April 17; only one in ten is past it by April 2, and one in ten still has one after May 5. Planting tender crops after April 24 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 29 20%, and after May 5 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 10 one year in ten, and holds off past November 5 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 8 days later, around November 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 19, 16 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 188 days in a typical year, shorter than at 63% of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 208 days one year in ten and falls short of 168 one year in ten. On average 125 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 April 29, and return around October 15. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 99% of winters, usually between December 15 and February 24.

July is the warmest month at Brookneal, VA, averaging 88°F by day and 65°F at night; January is the coldest at 48°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 18% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,971 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 57% of the 128 Virginia stations. 37% of them (1,478) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 826. Precipitation totals 46.0 inches a year, most in May (4.8") and least in February (2.8"); May to September bring 46% of it.

The nearest other station, Lynchburg Regional Airport, VA, 15 miles northwest of Gladys and 532 feet higher, has a last frost 2 days earlier (April 15), the same first-frost date, a season 3 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Gladys usually arrives around January 5, and the last of the season around February 20. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Brookneal, VA, 7.7 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Snow fell in 96% of those winters. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 56 days after the last snow.

ZIP 24554 is 8 miles from Brookneal, VA, which stands at 408 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 24577 (Nathalie). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 24554 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.