Frost Dates for 70777 — Slaughter, Louisiana

Half of springs at Clinton 5 SE, LA see their last 32°F night by March 13; only one in ten is past it by February 18, and one in ten still has one after April 4. Planting tender crops after March 22 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 28 20%, and after April 4 10%. The 22 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 49% of the 88 Louisiana stations behind this site's ZIP pages, so a fixed calendar date is a gamble here.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 17 in half of years, as early as November 1 one year in ten, and holds off past December 6 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around December 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 21, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 251 days in a typical year, shorter than at 77% of the 88 Louisiana stations; it reaches 283 days one year in ten and falls short of 222 one year in ten. On average 29 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 16 days longer, to about March 29, and return around November 6. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 93% of winters and 16°F in 25%.

July is the warmest month at Clinton 5 SE, LA, averaging 90°F by day and 70°F at night; January is the coldest at 60°F and 38°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From May to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 72% of years and April still brings one in 14% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,115 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 82% of the 88 Louisiana stations. 42% of them (2,542) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 938. Precipitation totals 59.9 inches a year, most in June (6.0") and least in November (3.7"); May to September bring 42% of it.

The nearest other station, Baton Rouge Ryan Airport, LA, 13 miles south of Slaughter, has a last frost 16 days earlier (February 25), a first frost 9 days later (November 26), a season 25 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Oaknolia 2N, LA, 7.2 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 70777 is 10 miles from Clinton 5 SE, LA, which stands at 200 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 70441 (Greensburg). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 70777 in zone 9a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 20 to 25°F (-6.7 to -3.9°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.