Frost Dates for 35087 — Joppa, Alabama

Half of springs at Cullman 3 ENE, AL see their last 32°F night by April 5; only one in ten is past it by March 16, and one in ten still has one after April 22. Planting tender crops after April 10 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 16 20%, and after April 22 10%. The 17 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 64% of the 115 Alabama stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 1 in half of years, as early as October 19 one year in ten, and holds off past November 14 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around November 11; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 7, 15 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 210 days in a typical year, shorter than at 85% of the 115 Alabama stations; it reaches 233 days one year in ten and falls short of 189 one year in ten. On average 70 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 19, and return around October 22. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 100% of winters and 16°F in 89%.

July is the warmest month at Cullman 3 ENE, AL, averaging 88°F by day and 68°F at night; January is the coldest at 51°F and 31°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to March (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 61% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,630 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 92% of the 115 Alabama stations. 39% of them (1,795) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 859. Precipitation totals 58.6 inches a year, most in February (5.9") and least in October (3.8"); May to September bring 39% of it.

The nearest other station, Guntersville, AL, 15 miles east of Joppa and 222 feet lower, has a last frost 17 days earlier (March 19), a first frost 17 days later (November 18), a season 34 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 4 of 16 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Cullman Nahs, AL, 14.4 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 35087 is 14 miles from Cullman 3 ENE, AL, which stands at 800 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 6 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 35058 (Cullman). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 35087 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.