Frost Dates for 71272 — Ruston, Louisiana

Half of springs at Ruston La Tech, LA see their last 32°F night by March 11; only one in ten is past it by February 18, and one in ten still has one after March 31. Planting tender crops after March 20 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 26 20%, and after March 31 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 16 in half of years, as early as October 31 one year in ten, and holds off past December 4 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 15 days later, around December 1; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is March 17, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 248 days in a typical year, shorter than at 80% of the 88 Louisiana stations; it reaches 276 days one year in ten and falls short of 221 one year in ten. On average 46 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 27, and return around November 4. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 96% of winters and 16°F in 30%.

July is the warmest month at Ruston La Tech, LA, averaging 92°F by day and 72°F at night; January is the coldest at 57°F and 35°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to February (a 90% chance or more). From April to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 69% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,991 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 88% of the 88 Louisiana stations. 41% of them (2,427) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 992. Precipitation totals 55.8 inches a year, most in January (5.6") and least in July (3.6"); May to September bring 35% of it.

The nearest other station, Calhoun Rsch Stn, LA, 18 miles east of Ruston and 175 feet lower, has a last frost 17 days later (March 28), a first frost 11 days earlier (November 5), a season 24 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 5 of 21 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Ruston La Tech, LA, 1.1 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 71272 is 1 mile from Ruston La Tech, LA, which stands at 295 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 5 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 71270 (Ruston). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 71272 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.