Frost Dates for 35051 — Columbiana, Alabama

Half of springs at Alabaster Shelby Co Airport, AL see their last 32°F night by March 12; only one in ten is past it by February 20, and one in ten still has one after March 31. Planting tender crops after March 20 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 25 20%, and after March 31 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 16 in half of years, as early as November 1 one year in ten, and holds off past December 4 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 15 days later, around December 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 17, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 248 days in a typical year, longer than at 74% of the 115 Alabama stations; it reaches 277 days one year in ten and falls short of 224 one year in ten. On average 43 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 15 days longer, to about March 27, and return around November 4. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 97% of winters and 16°F in 45%.

July is the warmest month at Alabaster Shelby Co Airport, AL, averaging 91°F by day and 72°F at night; January is the coldest at 56°F and 36°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 72% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,835 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 68% of the 115 Alabama stations. 41% of them (2,382) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 972. Precipitation totals 56.4 inches a year, most in February (5.8") and least in October (3.0"); May to September bring 39% of it.

The nearest other station, Helena, AL, 13 miles west of Columbiana, has a last frost 7 days later (March 19), a first frost 8 days earlier (November 8), a season 12 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 6 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Childersburg Wtp, AL, 16.8 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 35051 is 10 miles from Alabaster Shelby Co Airport, AL, which stands at 565 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 35040 (Calera). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 35051 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.