Frost Dates for 32542 — Eglin Afb, Florida

Half of springs at Destin Fort Walton Airport, FL see their last 32°F night by February 5; only one in ten is past it by January 5, and one in ten still has one after March 4. Planting tender crops after February 17 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after February 25 20%, and after March 4 10%. The 27 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 58% of the 101 Florida stations behind this site's ZIP pages, so a fixed calendar date is a gamble here.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by December 28 in half of years, as early as December 1 one year in ten, and holds off past January 27 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around January 7; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is February 25, 7 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 321 days in a typical year, longer than at 57% of the 102 Florida stations; it reaches 356 days one year in ten and falls short of 289 one year in ten. On average 6 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 19 days longer, to about February 24, and return around December 9. A 24°F night is unusual: 33% of winters had one.

July is the warmest month at Destin Fort Walton Airport, FL, averaging 91°F by day and 76°F at night; January is the coldest at 63°F and 45°F. From April to November the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, February still brings one in 50% of years and March still brings one in 13% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 7,355 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 68% of the 158 Florida stations. 42% of them (3,071) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 1,040. Precipitation totals 55.4 inches a year, most in August (6.1") and least in October (2.8"); May to September bring 45% of it.

The nearest other station, Niceville, FL, 6 miles northeast of Eglin Afb, has a last frost 35 days later (March 12), a first frost 39 days earlier (November 19), a season 68 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Niceville, FL, 6.2 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 32542 is 6 miles from Destin Fort Walton Airport, FL, which stands at 22 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 32547 (Fort Walton Beach). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 32542 in zone 9a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 20 to 25°F (-6.7 to -3.9°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.