Frost Dates for 29229 — Columbia, South Carolina

Half of springs at Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC see their last 32°F night by March 22; only one in ten is past it by March 2, and one in ten still has one after April 10. Planting tender crops after March 31 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 4 20%, and after April 10 10%. The 19 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 86% of the 105 South Carolina stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 15 in half of years, as early as November 1 one year in ten, and holds off past December 4 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 15 days later, around November 30; 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 239 days in a typical year, longer than at 69% of the 105 South Carolina stations; it reaches 265 days one year in ten and falls short of 214 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 12 days longer, to about April 3, and return around November 4. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 99% of winters and 16°F in 52%.

July is the warmest month at Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC, averaging 93°F by day and 71°F at night; January is the coldest at 56°F and 33°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From May to October 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 27% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,593 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 66% of the 105 South Carolina stations. 40% of them (2,242) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 979. Precipitation totals 46.2 inches a year, most in July (4.7") and least in November (3.0"); May to September bring 47% of it.

The nearest other station, Cedar Creek 2E, SC, 12 miles northwest of Columbia, has a last frost 19 days later (April 10), a first frost 18 days earlier (October 28), a season 38 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 22 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC, 1.2 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 29229 is 1 mile from Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC, which stands at 440 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 29223 (Columbia). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 29229 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.