Frost Dates for 30663 — Rutledge, Georgia

Half of springs at Covington, GA see their last 32°F night by March 22; only one in ten is past it by February 26, and one in ten still has one after April 6. Planting tender crops after March 30 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 2 20%, and after April 6 10%. The 15 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 83% of the 127 Georgia stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 14 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 28; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 27, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 238 days in a typical year, longer than at 54% of the 127 Georgia stations; it reaches 267 days one year in ten and falls short of 214 one year in ten. On average 62 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 2. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 99% of winters and 16°F in 51%.

July is the warmest month at Covington, GA, averaging 89°F by day and 71°F at night; January is the coldest at 52°F and 34°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 83% of years and April still brings one in 23% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,197 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 61% of the 127 Georgia stations. 39% of them (2,046) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 928. Precipitation totals 50.5 inches a year, most in February (5.1") and least in May (2.9"); May to September bring 40% of it.

The nearest other station, Watkinsville 5 SSE, GA, 17 miles northeast of Rutledge, has a last frost 2 days later (March 24), a first frost 2 days earlier (November 12), a season 4 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 6 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Covington, GA, 13.4 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 30663 is 13 miles from Covington, GA, which stands at 769 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 7 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 30016 (Covington). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 30663 in zone 8a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 10 to 15°F (-12.2 to -9.4°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.