Frost Dates for 39573 — Perkinston, Mississippi

Half of springs at Saucier Exp Forest, MS see their last 32°F night by March 7; only one in ten is past it by February 12, and one in ten still has one after March 27. Planting tender crops after March 14 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 20 20%, and after March 27 10%. The 20 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 64% of the 96 Mississippi stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 22 in half of years, as early as November 4 one year in ten, and holds off past December 14 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 17 days later, around December 9; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 15, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 260 days in a typical year, longer than at 88% of the 96 Mississippi stations; it reaches 291 days one year in ten and falls short of 232 one year in ten. On average 20 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 21, and return around November 10. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 89% of winters and 16°F in 24%.

July is the warmest month at Saucier Exp Forest, MS, averaging 90°F by day and 72°F at night; January is the coldest at 61°F and 41°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 62% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,447 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 89% of the 96 Mississippi stations. 42% of them (2,716) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 953. Precipitation totals 70.8 inches a year, most in July (7.8") and least in October (3.8"); May to September bring 48% of it.

The nearest other station, Wiggins, MS, 11 miles north of Perkinston, has a last frost 7 days later (March 14), a first frost 4 days earlier (November 18), a season 11 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Saucier Exp Forest, MS, 6.3 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 39573 is 6 miles from Saucier Exp Forest, MS, which stands at 229 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 39574 (Saucier). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 39573 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.