Frost Dates for 38847 — Golden, Mississippi

Half of springs at Fulton 3 W, MS see their last 32°F night by April 1; only one in ten is past it by March 16, and one in ten still has one after April 16. Planting tender crops after April 7 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 11 20%, and after April 16 10%. The 15 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 94% of the 96 Mississippi stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 31 in half of years, as early as October 17 one year in ten, and holds off past November 14 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around November 9; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 6, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 212 days in a typical year, shorter than at 93% of the 96 Mississippi stations; it reaches 235 days one year in ten and falls short of 190 one year in ten. On average 67 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 10 days longer, to about April 11, and return around October 22. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 93% of winters, usually between December 30 and February 4.

July is the warmest month at Fulton 3 W, MS, averaging 89°F by day and 69°F at night; January is the coldest at 51°F and 30°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to March (a 90% chance or more). From May to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 52% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,950 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 92% of the 96 Mississippi stations. 39% of them (1,940) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 907. Precipitation totals 61.3 inches a year, most in December (6.2") and least in September (4.0"); May to September bring 40% of it.

The nearest other station, Iuka, MS, 23 miles north of Golden and 250 feet higher, has a last frost 8 days later (April 9), a first frost 3 days earlier (October 28), a season 9 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 7 of 22 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Baldwyn, MS, 23.8 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 38847 is 18 miles from Fulton 3 W, MS, which stands at 350 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 4 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 38843 (Fulton). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 38847 in zone 8a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 10 to 15°F (-12.2 to -9.4°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.