Frost Dates for 65793 — Willow Springs, Missouri

Half of springs at West Plains Municipal Airport, MO see their last 32°F night by April 8; only one in ten is past it by March 23, 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 20 20%, and after April 26 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 25 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 10 days later, around November 4; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 14, 12 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 220 days one year in ten and falls short of 177 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 15 days longer, to about April 23, and return around October 16. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between December 11 and February 24.

July is the warmest month at West Plains Municipal Airport, MO, averaging 89°F by day and 67°F at night; January is the coldest at 44°F and 25°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 70% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,206 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 68% of the 158 Missouri stations. 37% of them (1,574) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 865. Precipitation totals 47.2 inches a year, most in May (5.6") and least in January (2.6"); May to September bring 43% of it.

The nearest other station, W Plains, MO, 19 miles south of Willow Springs, has a last frost 8 days later (April 16), a first frost 4 days earlier (October 21), a season 10 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 8 of 19 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Siloam Springs 1E, MO, 14 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 65793 is 9 miles from West Plains Municipal Airport, MO, which stands at 1,223 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 65793 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.