Frost Dates for 72088 — Fairfield Bay, Arkansas

Half of springs at Greers Ferry Dam, AR see their last 32°F night by March 31; only one in ten is past it by March 11, and one in ten still has one after April 16. Planting tender crops after April 5 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 9 20%, and after April 16 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 65% of the 105 Arkansas stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 6 in half of years, as early as October 26 one year in ten, and holds off past November 24 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around November 19; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 2, 14 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 222 days in a typical year, shorter than at 53% of the 105 Arkansas stations; it reaches 246 days one year in ten and falls short of 200 one year in ten. On average 74 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 11 days longer, to about April 11, and return around October 28. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 94% of winters, usually between January 1 and February 4.

July is the warmest month at Greers Ferry Dam, AR, averaging 91°F by day and 70°F at night; January is the coldest at 48°F and 28°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 46% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,824 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 66% of the 105 Arkansas stations. 38% of them (1,812) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 936. Precipitation totals 53.4 inches a year, most in May (5.7") and least in June (3.7"); May to September bring 40% of it.

The nearest other station, Mountain View, AR, 19 miles northeast of Fairfield Bay and 189 feet higher, has a last frost 2 days later (April 2), a first frost 6 days earlier (October 31), a season 11 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 13 of 30 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Greers Ferry Dam, AR, 15.8 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 72088 is 16 miles from Greers Ferry Dam, AR, which stands at 527 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 6 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 72543 (Heber Springs). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 72088 in zone 7b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 5 to 10°F (-15.0 to -12.2°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.