Frost Dates for 36477 — Samson, Alabama

Half of springs at Geneva #2, AL see their last 32°F night by March 23; only one in ten is past it by February 27, and one in ten still has one after April 7. Planting tender crops after March 31 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 3 20%, and after April 7 10%. The 15 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 92% of the 115 Alabama stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 7 in half of years, as early as October 26 one year in ten, and holds off past November 27 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 20; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 28, 10 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 260 days one year in ten and falls short of 206 one year in ten. On average 45 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 12 days longer, to about April 4, and return around October 31. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 98% of winters and 16°F in 43%.

July is the warmest month at Geneva #2, AL, averaging 92°F by day and 69°F at night; January is the coldest at 62°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 82% of years and April still brings one in 26% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,072 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 76% of the 115 Alabama stations. 42% of them (2,531) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 950. Precipitation totals 62.3 inches a year, most in June (6.3") and least in May (3.3"); May to September bring 42% of it.

The nearest other station, New Hope, FL, 14 miles southeast of Samson, has a last frost 13 days earlier (March 10), a first frost 13 days later (November 20), a season 28 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 3 of 24 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Geneva #2, AL, 11.1 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 36477 is 11 miles from Geneva #2, AL, which stands at 145 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 36344 (Hartford). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 36477 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.