Frost Dates for 35022 — Bessemer, Alabama

Half of springs at Bessemer 3 WSW, AL see their last 32°F night by March 23; only one in ten is past it by March 3, and one in ten still has one after April 11. Planting tender crops after March 31 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 5 20%, and after April 11 10%. The 19 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 55% of the 115 Alabama stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 10 in half of years, as early as October 27 one year in ten, and holds off past November 28 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 23; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 28, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 231 days in a typical year, shorter than at 49% of the 115 Alabama stations; it reaches 256 days one year in ten and falls short of 208 one year in ten. On average 57 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 April 6, and return around November 1. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 99% of winters and 16°F in 65%.

July is the warmest month at Bessemer 3 WSW, AL, averaging 92°F by day and 71°F at night; January is the coldest at 56°F and 34°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to February (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 89% of years and April still brings one in 29% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,646 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 54% of the 115 Alabama stations. 40% of them (2,257) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 966. Precipitation totals 55.7 inches a year, most in January (5.4") and least in October (3.3"); May to September bring 38% of it.

The nearest other station, Helena, AL, 9 miles southeast of Bessemer, has a last frost 4 days earlier (March 19), a first frost 2 days earlier (November 8), a season 5 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 3 of 22 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Bessemer 3 WSW, AL, 4.6 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 35022 is 5 miles from Bessemer 3 WSW, AL, which stands at 445 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 11 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 35020 (Bessemer). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 35022 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.