Frost Dates for 63960 — Puxico, Missouri

Half of springs at Wappapello Dam, MO see their last 32°F night by April 2; only one in ten is past it by March 16, and one in ten still has one after April 18. Planting tender crops after April 8 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 12 20%, and after April 18 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 35% of the 158 Missouri stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 2 in half of years, as early as October 21 one year in ten, and holds off past November 18 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around November 14; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 6, 12 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 215 days in a typical year, longer than at 93% of the 158 Missouri stations; it reaches 237 days one year in ten and falls short of 194 one year in ten. On average 92 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 April 14, and return around October 24. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 21 and February 16.

July is the warmest month at Wappapello Dam, MO, averaging 88°F by day and 69°F at night; January is the coldest at 42°F and 24°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 54% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,250 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 76% of the 158 Missouri stations. 37% of them (1,577) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 882. Precipitation totals 51.6 inches a year, most in May (5.6") and least in February (3.5"); May to September bring 41% of it.

The nearest other station, Advance 1 S, MO, 15 miles northeast of Puxico, has a last frost 5 days later (April 7), a first frost 6 days earlier (October 27), a season 11 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Puxico usually arrives around December 22, and the last of the season around February 25. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Williamsville, MO, 23.6 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 36 days after the last snow.

ZIP 63960 is 9 miles from Wappapello Dam, MO, which stands at 410 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 63960 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.