Frost Dates for 29505 — Florence, South Carolina

Half of springs at Florence Regional Airport, SC see their last 32°F night by March 19; only one in ten is past it by February 28, and one in ten still has one after April 5. Planting tender crops after March 27 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 31 20%, and after April 5 10%. The 17 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 57% of the 105 South Carolina stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 13 in half of years, as early as November 1 one year in ten, and holds off past December 2 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around November 27; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 26, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 241 days in a typical year, longer than at 75% of the 105 South Carolina stations; it reaches 267 days one year in ten and falls short of 218 one year in ten. On average 40 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 13 days longer, to about April 1, and return around November 4. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 98% of winters and 16°F in 42%.

July is the warmest month at Florence Regional Airport, SC, averaging 92°F by day and 72°F at night; January is the coldest at 57°F and 36°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 85% of years and April still brings one in 20% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,926 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 82% of the 105 South Carolina stations. 41% of them (2,419) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 998. Precipitation totals 45.3 inches a year, most in July (5.8") and least in November (2.6"); May to September bring 52% of it.

The nearest other station, Darlington, SC, 13 miles northwest of Florence, has a last frost 11 days later (March 30), a first frost 7 days earlier (November 6), a season 20 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 4 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Effingham, SC, 5.5 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 29505 is 3 miles from Florence Regional Airport, SC, which stands at 146 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 3 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 29501 (Florence). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 29505 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.