Frost Dates for 72821 — Altus, Arkansas

Half of springs at Ozark 2, AR see their last 32°F night by March 30; only one in ten is past it by March 10, and one in ten still has one after April 17. Planting tender crops after April 5 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 10 20%, and after April 17 10%. The 18 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 60% 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 23 one year in ten, and holds off past November 23 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around November 18; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 4, 13 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 249 days one year in ten and falls short of 198 one year in ten. On average 72 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 14 days longer, to about April 13, and return around October 29. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 91% of winters, usually between December 30 and February 3.

July is the warmest month at Ozark 2, AR, averaging 92°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 43% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,930 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 57% of the 105 Arkansas stations. 37% of them (1,848) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 955. Precipitation totals 52.2 inches a year, most in May (5.8") and least in February (3.3"); May to September bring 43% of it.

The nearest other station, Subiaco, AR, 12 miles southeast of Altus and 330 feet lower, has a last frost 2 days earlier (March 28), a first frost 1 day earlier (November 5), a season 1 day longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 6 of 18 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Coal Hill, AR, 4.3 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 72821 is 8 miles from Ozark 2, AR, which stands at 830 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station; its figures are presented in full for 72949 (Ozark). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 72821 in zone 8a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 10 to 15°F (-12.2 to -9.4°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.