Frost Dates for 28594 — Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Half of springs at Newport/Morehead City WFO, NC see their last 32°F night by March 26; only one in ten is past it by March 5, and one in ten still has one after April 9. Planting tender crops after March 31 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 4 20%, and after April 9 10%. The 14 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 79% of the 173 North Carolina stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 16 in half of years, as early as November 2 one year in ten, and holds off past December 2 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 29; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 31, 9 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 236 days in a typical year, longer than at 88% of the 173 North Carolina stations; it reaches 260 days one year in ten and falls short of 212 one year in ten. On average 53 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 9 days longer, to about April 4, and return around November 5. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 100% of winters and 16°F in 57%.

July is the warmest month at Newport/Morehead City WFO, NC, averaging 87°F by day and 71°F at night; January is the coldest at 54°F and 34°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to March (a 90% chance or more). From May to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 29% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,114 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 76% of the 173 North Carolina stations. 38% of them (1,918) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 904. Precipitation totals 60.7 inches a year, most in September (9.6") and least in May (3.2"); May to September bring 52% of it.

The nearest other station, Atlantic Beach Wtp, NC, 16 miles east of Emerald Isle, has a last frost 23 days earlier (March 3), a first frost 27 days later (December 13), a season 50 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 4 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Morehead City 2 WNW, NC, 16.2 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 28594 is 11 miles from Newport/Morehead City WFO, NC, which stands at 30 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 28570 (Newport). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 28594 in zone 8b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 15 to 20°F (-9.4 to -6.7°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.