Frost Dates for 29479 — Saint Stephen, South Carolina

Half of springs at Moncks Corner 4 N, SC see their last 32°F night by March 10; only one in ten is past it by February 14, and one in ten still has one after March 29. Planting tender crops after March 18 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 23 20%, and after March 29 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 26 in half of years, as early as November 7 one year in ten, and holds off past December 22 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 17 days later, around December 13; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 17, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 265 days in a typical year, longer than at 91% of the 105 South Carolina stations; it reaches 296 days one year in ten and falls short of 236 one year in ten. On average 32 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 15 days longer, to about March 25, and return around November 13. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 86% of winters and 16°F in 14%.

July is the warmest month at Moncks Corner 4 N, SC, averaging 93°F by day and 74°F at night; January is the coldest at 59°F and 38°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from January to February (a 90% chance or more). From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 69% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,302 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 91% of the 105 South Carolina stations. 41% of them (2,569) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 1,035. Precipitation totals 52.4 inches a year, most in July (6.8") and least in November (2.9"); May to September bring 53% of it.

The nearest other station, Kingstree, SC, 20 miles north of Saint Stephen, has a last frost 19 days later (March 29), a first frost 20 days earlier (November 6), a season 42 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 16 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Moncks Corner 4 N, SC, 11.1 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 29479 is 11 miles from Moncks Corner 4 N, SC, which stands at 49 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 4 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 29461 (Moncks Corner). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 29479 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.