Frost Dates for 29172 — West Columbia, South Carolina

Half of springs at Columbia, SC see their last 32°F night by March 25; only one in ten is past it by March 4, and one in ten still has one after April 10. Planting tender crops after April 1 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 4 20%, and after April 10 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 7 in half of years, as early as October 26 one year in ten, and holds off past November 24 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 15 days later, around November 22; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 28, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 229 days in a typical year, shorter than at 54% of the 105 South Carolina stations; it reaches 256 days one year in ten and falls short of 207 one year in ten. On average 47 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 5, and return around October 29. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 100% of winters and 16°F in 53%.

July is the warmest month at Columbia, SC, averaging 93°F by day and 72°F at night; January is the coldest at 57°F and 35°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November 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 89% of years and April still brings one in 31% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,815 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 80% of the 105 South Carolina stations. 41% of them (2,373) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 1,003. Precipitation totals 45.4 inches a year, most in July (5.4") and least in April (2.8"); May to September bring 50% of it.

The nearest other station, Columbia Owens Dwtn Airport, SC, 7 miles northeast of West Columbia, has a last frost 12 days earlier (March 13), a first frost 12 days later (November 19), a season 24 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 3 of 26 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC, 7 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 29172 is 4 miles from Columbia, SC, which stands at 231 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 6 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 29072 (Lexington). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 29172 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.