Frost Dates for 63965 — Van Buren, Missouri

Half of springs at Clearwater Dam, MO see their last 32°F night by April 9; only one in ten is past it by March 24, and one in ten still has one after April 24. Planting tender crops after April 16 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 20 20%, and after April 24 10%. The 15 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 54% of the 158 Missouri stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 26 in half of years, as early as October 12 one year in ten, and holds off past November 7 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around November 4; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 13, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 199 days in a typical year, longer than at 64% of the 158 Missouri stations; it reaches 221 days one year in ten and falls short of 179 one year in ten. On average 109 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 21, and return around October 17. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 12 and February 24.

July is the warmest month at Clearwater Dam, MO, averaging 89°F by day and 68°F at night; January is the coldest at 43°F and 23°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 74% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,179 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 65% of the 158 Missouri stations. 37% of them (1,567) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 885. Precipitation totals 48.7 inches a year, most in April (5.3") and least in February (3.2"); May to September bring 43% of it.

The nearest other station, Winona 3 SW, MO, 21 miles west of Van Buren and 301 feet higher, has a last frost 13 days later (April 22), a first frost 8 days earlier (October 18), a season 23 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Van Buren 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, 24.3 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 43 days after the last snow.

ZIP 63965 is 16 miles from Clearwater Dam, MO, which stands at 660 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 63957 (Piedmont). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 63965 in zone 6b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -5 to 0°F (-20.6 to -17.8°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.