Frost Dates for 41537 — Jenkins, Kentucky

Half of springs at Clintwood 1W, VA see their last 32°F night by April 29; only one in ten is past it by April 15, and one in ten still has one after May 15. Planting tender crops after May 5 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 9 20%, and after May 15 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 68% of the 113 Kentucky stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 16 in half of years, as early as October 4 one year in ten, and holds off past November 1 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 10 days later, around October 26; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 3, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 169 days in a typical year, shorter than at 98% of the 113 Kentucky stations; it reaches 190 days one year in ten and falls short of 149 one year in ten. On average 133 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 May 9, and return around October 8. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 1 and March 5.

July is the warmest month at Clintwood 1W, VA, averaging 82°F by day and 61°F at night; January is the coldest at 43°F and 22°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 41% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,007 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), the fewest of the 113 Kentucky stations. 36% of them (1,087) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 659. Precipitation totals 49.2 inches a year, most in July (5.3") and least in October (2.8"); May to September bring 46% of it.

The nearest other station, Whitesburg 2SE, KY, 12 miles southwest of Jenkins and 326 feet lower, has a last frost 8 days earlier (April 21), a first frost 6 days later (October 22), a season 14 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Jenkins usually arrives around November 18, and the last of the season around March 28. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Clintwood 1W, VA, 8 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Every one of those winters saw snow. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 32 days after the last snow.

ZIP 41537 is 8 miles from Clintwood 1W, VA, which stands at 1,566 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 24228 (Clintwood). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 41537 in zone 7a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 0 to 5°F (-17.8 to -15.0°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.