Frost Dates for 28638 — Hudson, North Carolina

Half of springs at Lenoir, NC see their last 32°F night by April 7; only one in ten is past it by March 21, and one in ten still has one after April 28. Planting tender crops after April 15 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 20 20%, and after April 28 10%. The 21 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 98% of the 173 North Carolina stations behind this site's ZIP pages, so a fixed calendar date is a gamble here.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 31 in half of years, as early as October 18 one year in ten, and holds off past November 12 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around November 9; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 9, 19 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 207 days in a typical year, shorter than at 64% of the 173 North Carolina stations; it reaches 227 days one year in ten and falls short of 184 one year in ten. On average 91 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 14 days longer, to about April 21, and return around October 22. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 95% of winters, usually between January 1 and February 6.

July is the warmest month at Lenoir, NC, averaging 88°F by day and 67°F at night; January is the coldest at 49°F and 27°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 68% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,160 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 72% of the 173 North Carolina stations. 37% of them (1,558) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 840. Precipitation totals 49.6 inches a year, most in June (4.7") and least in February (3.3"); May to September bring 45% of it.

The nearest other station, Hickory Faa Airport, NC, 9 miles southeast of Hudson, has a last frost 7 days earlier (March 31), a first frost 4 days later (November 4), a season 12 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Rhodhiss Hydro Plt, NC, 5.2 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 28638 is 6 miles from Lenoir, NC, which stands at 1,155 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 28645 (Lenoir). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 28638 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.