Frost Dates for 48074 — Kimball, Michigan

Half of springs at Port Huron, MI see their last 32°F night by April 19; only one in ten is past it by April 7, and one in ten still has one after May 4. Planting tender crops after April 25 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 29 20%, and after May 4 10%. The 15 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 55% of the 172 Michigan stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 3 in half of years, as early as October 20 one year in ten, and holds off past November 16 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around November 12; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 21, 13 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 196 days in a typical year, longer than at 99% of the 172 Michigan stations; it reaches 215 days one year in ten and falls short of 176 one year in ten. On average 122 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 12 days longer, to about May 1, and return around October 22. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 14 and March 9.

July is the warmest month at Port Huron, MI, averaging 81°F by day and 65°F at night; January is the coldest at 31°F and 20°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 17% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,898 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 91% of the 172 Michigan stations. 30% of them (867) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 721. Precipitation totals 34.9 inches a year, most in June (3.6") and least in February (2.1"); May to September bring 48% of it.

The nearest other station, Richmond 4 NNW, MI, 12 miles southwest of Kimball and 175 feet higher, has a last frost 12 days later (May 1), a first frost 14 days earlier (October 20), a season 26 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Kimball usually arrives around December 1, and the last of the season around March 27. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Port Huron, MI, 7.9 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 23 days after the last snow.

ZIP 48074 is 8 miles from Port Huron, MI, which stands at 590 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 5 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 48060 (Port Huron). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 48074 in zone 6a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -10 to -5°F (-23.3 to -20.6°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.