Frost Dates for 39204 — Jackson, Mississippi

Half of springs at Jackson Hawkins Field, MS see their last 32°F night by March 6; only one in ten is past it by February 15, and one in ten still has one after March 24. Planting tender crops after March 13 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 17 20%, and after March 24 10%. The 18 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 53% of the 96 Mississippi stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 19 in half of years, as early as November 4 one year in ten, and holds off past December 10 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 15 days later, around December 4; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 13, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 258 days in a typical year, longer than at 86% of the 96 Mississippi stations; it reaches 289 days one year in ten and falls short of 236 one year in ten. On average 32 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 March 20, and return around November 9. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 92% of winters and 16°F in 21%.

July is the warmest month at Jackson Hawkins Field, MS, averaging 92°F by day and 73°F at night; January is the coldest at 57°F and 38°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 65% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,348 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 82% of the 96 Mississippi stations. 42% of them (2,635) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 1,009. Precipitation totals 51.3 inches a year, most in April (5.3") and least in September (3.3"); May to September bring 37% of it.

The nearest other station, Jackson International Airport, MS, 9 miles east of Jackson, has a last frost 8 days later (March 14), a first frost 5 days earlier (November 14), a season 13 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 4 of 30 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Oakley Exp Stn, MS, 17.5 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 39204 is 4 miles from Jackson Hawkins Field, MS, which stands at 342 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 10 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 39056 (Clinton). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 39204 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.