Frost Dates for 71051 — Elm Grove, Louisiana

Half of springs at Red River Rsch Stn, LA see their last 32°F night by March 6; only one in ten is past it by February 15, and one in ten still has one after March 26. Planting tender crops after March 14 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 19 20%, and after March 26 10%. The 20 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 72% of the 88 Louisiana stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 18 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 13 days later, around December 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 15, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 256 days in a typical year, shorter than at 69% of the 88 Louisiana stations; it reaches 284 days one year in ten and falls short of 231 one year in ten. On average 35 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 22, and return around November 6. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 95% of winters and 16°F in 17%.

July is the warmest month at Red River Rsch Stn, LA, averaging 93°F by day and 73°F at night; January is the coldest at 57°F and 36°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 63% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 6,279 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 68% of the 88 Louisiana stations. 41% of them (2,566) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 1,032. Precipitation totals 52.4 inches a year, most in April (5.6") and least in August (3.3"); May to September bring 36% of it.

The nearest other station, Shreveport Sthrn Hills, LA, 17 miles west of Elm Grove, has a last frost 6 days later (March 12), a first frost 3 days earlier (November 15), a season 9 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 5 of 30 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Red River Rsch Stn, LA, 10.7 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 71051 is 11 miles from Red River Rsch Stn, LA, which stands at 155 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 71112 (Bossier City). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 71051 in zone 8b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 15 to 20°F (-9.4 to -6.7°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.