Frost Dates for 35633 — Florence, Alabama

Half of springs at Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL see their last 32°F night by March 27; only one in ten is past it by March 7, and one in ten still has one after April 13. Planting tender crops after April 3 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 7 20%, and after April 13 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 3 in half of years, as early as October 22 one year in ten, and holds off past November 19 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around November 14; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 31, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 220 days in a typical year, shorter than at 71% of the 115 Alabama stations; it reaches 245 days one year in ten and falls short of 198 one year in ten. On average 62 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 10, and return around October 25. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 100% of winters and 16°F in 83%.

July is the warmest month at Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL, averaging 89°F by day and 69°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 38% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,886 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 84% of the 115 Alabama stations. 39% of them (1,917) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 896.

The nearest other station, Muscle Shoals Wtp, AL, 12 miles southeast of Florence, has a last frost 3 days later (March 30), the same first-frost date.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 6 of 21 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Russellville #2, AL, 27 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 35633 is 12 miles from Muscle Shoals 2 N, AL, which stands at 530 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 35630 (Florence). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 35633 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.