Frost Dates for 65747 — Shell Knob, Missouri

Half of springs at Galena, MO see their last 32°F night by April 16; only one in ten is past it by March 31, and one in ten still has one after May 4. Planting tender crops after April 24 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 28 20%, and after May 4 10%. The 18 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 82% of the 158 Missouri stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 21 in half of years, as early as October 6 one year in ten, and holds off past November 3 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around November 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 20, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 187 days in a typical year, shorter than at 73% of the 158 Missouri stations; it reaches 209 days one year in ten and falls short of 165 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 12 days longer, to about April 28, and return around October 10. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 2 and February 28.

July is the warmest month at Galena, MO, averaging 89°F by day and 66°F at night; January is the coldest at 45°F and 22°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to March (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 87% of years and May still brings one in 16% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,123 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 61% of the 158 Missouri stations. 37% of them (1,515) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 859. Precipitation totals 46.6 inches a year, most in May (5.5") and least in January (2.5"); May to September bring 45% of it.

The nearest other station, Cassville, MO, 17 miles northwest of Shell Knob and 349 feet higher, has a last frost 2 days earlier (April 14), a first frost 5 days later (October 26), a season 7 days longer.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Shell Knob usually arrives around January 13, and the last of the season around February 10. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Galena, MO, 16.5 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Snow fell in 86% of those winters. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 65 days after the last snow.

ZIP 65747 is 17 miles from Galena, MO, which stands at 1,027 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 65737 (Branson West). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 65747 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.