Frost Dates for 36024 — Eclectic, Alabama

Half of springs at Rockford 3 ESE, AL see their last 32°F night by March 25; only one in ten is past it by March 4, 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 6 20%, and after April 13 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 11 in half of years, as early as October 28 one year in ten, and holds off past December 1 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 24; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 1, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 230 days in a typical year, shorter than at 52% of the 115 Alabama stations; it reaches 258 days one year in ten and falls short of 205 one year in ten. On average 46 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 13 days longer, to about April 7, and return around November 1. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 99% of winters and 16°F in 66%.

July is the warmest month at Rockford 3 ESE, AL, averaging 89°F by day and 69°F at night; January is the coldest at 55°F and 35°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December 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 36% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,212 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 64% of the 115 Alabama stations. 40% of them (2,098) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 897. Precipitation totals 60.2 inches a year, most in March (5.9") and least in October (3.6"); May to September bring 39% of it.

The nearest other station, Alexander City, AL, 18 miles north of Eclectic, has a last frost 1 day later (March 26), a first frost 3 days earlier (November 8), a season 3 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 17 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Walnut Hill 3 W, AL, 7.1 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 36024 is 15 miles from Rockford 3 ESE, AL, which stands at 600 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 36092 (Wetumpka). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 36024 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.