Frost Dates for 36804 — Opelika, Alabama

Half of springs at Auburn No.2, AL see their last 32°F night by March 13; only one in ten is past it by February 21, and one in ten still has one after April 3. Planting tender crops after March 21 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 27 20%, and after April 3 10%. The 21 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 88% of the 115 Alabama stations behind this site's ZIP pages, so a fixed calendar date is a gamble here.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 17 in half of years, as early as November 1 one year in ten, and holds off past December 4 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around December 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 19, 15 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 246 days in a typical year, longer than at 72% of the 115 Alabama stations; it reaches 275 days one year in ten and falls short of 222 one year in ten. On average 44 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 16 days longer, to about March 29, and return around November 7. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 98% of winters and 16°F in 46%.

July is the warmest month at Auburn No.2, AL, averaging 89°F by day and 71°F at night; January is the coldest at 56°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 October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 76% of years and April still brings one in 14% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,511 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 52% of the 115 Alabama stations. 41% of them (2,240) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 930. Precipitation totals 56.4 inches a year, most in March (5.7") and least in October (3.4"); May to September bring 40% of it.

The nearest other station, Opelika, AL, 10 miles northwest of Opelika, has a last frost 16 days later (March 29), a first frost 12 days earlier (November 5), a season 23 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 18 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Opelika, AL, 9.7 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 36804 is 8 miles from Auburn No.2, AL, which stands at 545 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 3 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 36830 (Auburn). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 36804 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.