Frost Dates for 64052 — Independence, Missouri

Half of springs at Independence, MO see their last 32°F night by April 10; only one in ten is past it by March 29, and one in ten still has one after April 26. Planting tender crops after April 16 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 21 20%, and after April 26 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 October 27 in half of years, as early as October 14 one year in ten, and holds off past November 8 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around November 5; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 15, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 198 days in a typical year, longer than at 60% of the 158 Missouri stations; it reaches 218 days one year in ten and falls short of 178 one year in ten. On average 113 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 11 days longer, to about April 21, and return around October 17. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 4 and March 3.

July is the warmest month at Independence, MO, averaging 87°F by day and 68°F at night; January is the coldest at 38°F and 19°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 82% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,848 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 73% of the 158 Missouri stations. 36% of them (1,381) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 848. Precipitation totals 44.7 inches a year, most in May (6.0") and least in January (1.5"); May to September bring 59% of it.

The nearest other station, Kansas City Downtown Airport, MO, 8 miles west of Independence and 243 feet lower, has a last frost 6 days earlier (April 4), a first frost 6 days later (November 2), a season 13 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Independence usually arrives around December 7, and the last of the season around March 11. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Independence, MO, 3.5 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 30 days after the last snow.

ZIP 64052 is 4 miles from Independence, MO, which stands at 985 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 10 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 64055 (Independence). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 64052 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.