Frost Dates for 29036 — Chapin, South Carolina

Half of springs at Little Mountain, SC see their last 32°F night by March 22; only one in ten is past it by March 3, and one in ten still has one after April 7. Planting tender crops after March 29 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 2 20%, and after April 7 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 44% of the 105 South Carolina stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 11 in half of years, as early as October 29 one year in ten, and holds off past November 30 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 15 days later, around November 26; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 28, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 234 days in a typical year, longer than at 58% of the 105 South Carolina stations; it reaches 261 days one year in ten and falls short of 212 one year in ten. On average 43 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 3, and return around November 1. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 99% of winters and 16°F in 61%.

July is the warmest month at Little Mountain, SC, averaging 91°F by day and 71°F at night; January is the coldest at 55°F and 35°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 90% of years and April still brings one in 23% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,542 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 62% of the 105 South Carolina stations. 41% of them (2,252) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 958. Precipitation totals 45.8 inches a year, most in August (4.5") and least in May (3.2"); May to September bring 43% of it.

The nearest other station, Cedar Creek 2E, SC, 16 miles east of Chapin and 373 feet lower, has a last frost 19 days later (April 10), a first frost 14 days earlier (October 28), a season 33 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 3 of 17 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Cedar Creek 2E, SC, 16.2 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 29036 is 7 miles from Little Mountain, SC, which stands at 711 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 3 other ZIP codes share the station. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 29036 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.