Frost Dates for 36545 — Jackson, Alabama

Half of springs at Jackson, AL see their last 32°F night by March 18; only one in ten is past it by February 25, and one in ten still has one after April 6. Planting tender crops after March 26 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 31 20%, and after April 6 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 12 in half of years, as early as October 29 one year in ten, and holds off past December 3 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 25; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 21, 16 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 239 days in a typical year, longer than at 62% of the 115 Alabama stations; it reaches 268 days one year in ten and falls short of 214 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 14 days longer, to about April 1, and return around November 1. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 97% of winters and 16°F in 40%.

July is the warmest month at Jackson, AL, averaging 91°F by day and 71°F at night; January is the coldest at 60°F and 36°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 77% of years and April still brings one in 19% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,039 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 72% of the 115 Alabama stations. 41% of them (2,501) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 956. Precipitation totals 60.4 inches a year, most in June (6.3") and least in October (3.8"); May to September bring 42% of it.

The nearest other station, Whatley, AL, 14 miles northeast of Jackson, has a last frost 4 days later (March 22), a first frost 4 days earlier (November 8), a season 8 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Jackson, AL, 2.9 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 36545 is 3 miles from Jackson, AL, which stands at 220 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 36545 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.