Frost Dates for 24651 — Tazewell, Virginia

Half of springs at Burkes Garden, VA see their last 32°F night by May 9; only one in ten is past it by April 23, and one in ten still has one after May 26. Planting tender crops after May 16 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 20 20%, and after May 26 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 6 in half of years, as early as September 20 one year in ten, and holds off past October 20 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around October 15; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 16, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 150 days in a typical year, the shortest of the 128 Virginia stations; it reaches 171 days one year in ten and falls short of 128 one year in ten. On average 141 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 11 days longer, to about May 20, and return around September 27. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 14 and March 17.

July is the warmest month at Burkes Garden, VA, averaging 79°F by day and 57°F at night; January is the coldest at 39°F and 21°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from October to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to August the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 72% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,370 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 99% of the 128 Virginia stations. 35% of them (825) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 559. Precipitation totals 47.7 inches a year, most in May (4.7") and least in November (3.0"); May to September bring 44% of it.

The nearest other station, Richlands, VA, 16 miles west of Tazewell and 1,158 feet lower, has a last frost 12 days earlier (April 27), a first frost 12 days later (October 18), a season 23 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Tazewell usually arrives around November 21, and the last of the season around April 3. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Burkes Garden, VA, 9.3 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 36 days after the last snow.

ZIP 24651 is 9 miles from Burkes Garden, VA, which stands at 3,068 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station; its figures are presented in full for 24630 (North Tazewell). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 24651 in zone 6b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -5 to 0°F (-20.6 to -17.8°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.