Frost Dates for 36530 — Elberta, Alabama

Half of springs at Pensacola Forest Sherman NAS, FL see their last 32°F night by February 28; only one in ten is past it by January 31, and one in ten still has one after March 20. Planting tender crops after March 9 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 14 20%, and after March 20 10%. The 20 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 70% of the 115 Alabama stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 29 in half of years, as early as November 8 one year in ten, and holds off past January 2 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 22 days later, around December 21; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 9, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 277 days in a typical year, longer than at 98% of the 115 Alabama stations; it reaches 313 days one year in ten and falls short of 246 one year in ten. On average 14 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 March 13, and return around November 15. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 70% of winters and 16°F in 5%.

July is the warmest month at Pensacola Forest Sherman NAS, FL, averaging 89°F by day and 74°F at night; January is the coldest at 61°F and 42°F. A freezing night is all but certain in January (a 90% chance or more). From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, February still brings one in 79% of years and March still brings one in 46% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,619 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 90% of the 115 Alabama stations. 41% of them (2,729) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 980. Precipitation totals 57.8 inches a year, most in September (6.8") and least in May (3.2"); May to September bring 49% of it.

The nearest other station, Robertsdale, AL, 15 miles northwest of Elberta, has a last frost 5 days later (March 5), a first frost 6 days earlier (November 23), a season 13 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 2 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Robertsdale, AL, 15.4 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 36530 is 15 miles from Pensacola Forest Sherman NAS, FL, which stands at 28 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 5 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 32506 (Pensacola). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 36530 in zone 9a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 20 to 25°F (-6.7 to -3.9°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.