Frost Dates for 65202 — Columbia, Missouri

Half of springs at Columbia U Of M, MO see their last 32°F night by April 5; only one in ten is past it by March 19, and one in ten still has one after April 21. Planting tender crops after April 12 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 16 20%, and after April 21 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 31 in half of years, as early as October 17 one year in ten, and holds off past November 14 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 9 days later, around November 9; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 11, 10 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 207 days in a typical year, longer than at 87% of the 158 Missouri stations; it reaches 227 days one year in ten and falls short of 187 one year in ten. On average 93 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 13 days longer, to about April 18, and return around October 20. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 8 and February 28.

July is the warmest month at Columbia U Of M, MO, averaging 89°F by day and 69°F at night; January is the coldest at 39°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 65% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,271 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 78% of the 158 Missouri stations. 37% of them (1,584) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 894. Precipitation totals 44.7 inches a year, most in May (5.2") and least in December (2.2"); May to September bring 52% of it.

The nearest other station, Columbia Regional Airport, MO, 14 miles south of Columbia, has a last frost 2 days later (April 7), a first frost 2 days earlier (October 29), a season 2 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Columbia usually arrives around December 7, and the last of the season around March 5. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Columbia U Of M, MO, 4.3 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 31 days after the last snow.

ZIP 65202 is 4 miles from Columbia U Of M, MO, which stands at 770 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 4 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 65203 (Columbia). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 65202 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.