Frost Dates for 27545 — Knightdale, North Carolina

Half of springs at Clayton Wtp, NC see their last 32°F night by April 7; only one in ten is past it by March 23, and one in ten still has one after April 20. Planting tender crops after April 13 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 16 20%, and after April 20 10%. The 13 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 92% of the 173 North Carolina stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 3 in half of years, as early as October 22 one year in ten, and holds off past November 16 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around November 14; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 12, 8 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 211 days in a typical year, shorter than at 59% of the 173 North Carolina stations; it reaches 233 days one year in ten and falls short of 191 one year in ten. On average 77 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 April 18, and return around October 26. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 92% of winters, usually between January 1 and February 7.

July is the warmest month at Clayton Wtp, NC, averaging 89°F by day and 69°F at night; January is the coldest at 52°F and 30°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to March (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 72% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,692 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 54% of the 173 North Carolina stations. 38% of them (1,790) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 899. Precipitation totals 52.2 inches a year, most in July (6.1") and least in February (3.1"); May to September bring 50% of it.

The nearest other station, Clayton 3E, NC, 12 miles southeast of Knightdale, has a last frost 10 days earlier (March 28), a first frost 5 days later (November 8), a season 14 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 9 of 19 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Zebulon 3 SW, NC, 7.5 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 27545 is 10 miles from Clayton Wtp, NC, which stands at 300 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 27520 (Clayton). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 27545 in zone 8a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 10 to 15°F (-12.2 to -9.4°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.