Frost Dates for 32626 — Chiefland, Florida

Half of springs at Usher Twr, FL see their last 32°F night by February 28; only one in ten is past it by January 31, and one in ten still has one after March 22. Planting tender crops after March 8 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 14 20%, and after March 22 10%. The 22 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 66% 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 2 in half of years, as early as November 12 one year in ten, and holds off past January 4 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 25 days later, around December 27; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 6, 16 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 279 days in a typical year, shorter than at 67% of the 102 Florida stations; it reaches 315 days one year in ten and falls short of 246 one year in ten. On average 15 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 14 days longer, to about March 14, and return around November 19. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 64% of winters and 16°F in 3%.

August is the warmest month at Usher Twr, FL, averaging 89°F by day and 73°F at night; January is the coldest at 66°F and 44°F. A freezing night is all but certain in January (a 90% chance or more). From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, February still brings one in 79% of years and March still brings one in 48% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 7,155 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 77% of the 158 Florida stations. 43% of them (3,072) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 953. Precipitation totals 57.2 inches a year, most in August (9.9") and least in November (2.2"); May to September bring 61% of it.

The nearest other station, Cross City 1 E, FL, 19 miles northwest of Chiefland, has a last frost 6 days later (March 6), a first frost 6 days earlier (November 26), a season 16 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Usher Twr, FL, 4.3 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 32626 is 4 miles from Usher Twr, FL, which stands at 33 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 5 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 32696 (Williston). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 32626 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.