Frost Dates for 86335 — Rimrock, Arizona

Half of springs at Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ see their last 32°F night by April 16; only one in ten is past it by March 28, and one in ten still has one after May 2. Planting tender crops after April 24 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after April 28 20%, and after May 2 10%. The 16 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 88% of the 98 Arizona stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 30 in half of years, as early as October 15 one year in ten, and holds off past November 13 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around November 10; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 15, 17 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 196 days in a typical year, shorter than at 69% of the 98 Arizona stations; it reaches 221 days one year in ten and falls short of 173 one year in ten. On average 99 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 15 days longer, to about May 1, and return around October 19. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 90% of winters, usually between December 17 and January 18.

July is the warmest month at Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ, averaging 101°F by day and 64°F at night; December is the coldest at 59°F and 25°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to March (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, April still brings one in 84% of years and May still brings one in 13% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,958 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 62% of the 102 Arizona stations. 36% of them (1,801) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 1,004. Precipitation totals 13.3 inches a year, most in August (2.1") and least in June (0.2"); May to September bring 43% of it.

The nearest other station, Sedona, AZ, 17 miles north of Rimrock and 1,040 feet higher, has a last frost 15 days earlier (April 1), a first frost 18 days later (November 17), a season 33 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 26 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ, 5.8 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 86335 is 6 miles from Montezuma Castle Nm, AZ, which stands at 3,180 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 86322 (Camp Verde). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 86335 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.