Frost Dates for 89512 — Reno, Nevada

Half of springs at Reno WFO, NV see their last 32°F night by April 28; only one in ten is past it by April 9, and one in ten still has one after May 19. Planting tender crops after May 6 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 11 20%, and after May 19 10%. The 21 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 50% of the 38 Nevada stations behind this site's ZIP pages, so a fixed calendar date is a gamble here.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by October 27 in half of years, as early as October 10 one year in ten, and holds off past November 10 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around November 8; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is May 2, 17 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 182 days in a typical year, longer than at 58% of the 38 Nevada stations; it reaches 208 days one year in ten and falls short of 154 one year in ten. On average 102 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 May 14, and return around October 15. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes in 93% of winters, usually between December 16 and January 30.

July is the warmest month at Reno WFO, NV, averaging 93°F by day and 61°F at night; December is the coldest at 45°F and 27°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to April (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, May still brings one in 40% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,395 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 55% of the 38 Nevada stations. 29% of them (997) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 837. Precipitation totals 8.0 inches a year, most in January (1.3") and least in August (0.2"); May to September bring 23% of it.

The nearest other station, Sparks, NV, 3 miles east of Reno and 630 feet lower, has a last frost 3 days later (May 1), a first frost 17 days earlier (October 10), a season 22 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Reno usually arrives around November 11, and the last of the season around April 14. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Reno WFO, NV, 1.5 miles away: half of years saw snow earlier, half later. Every one of those winters saw snow. The last 32°F night of spring typically comes 14 days after the last snow.

ZIP 89512 is 2 miles from Reno WFO, NV, which stands at 4,987 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 89523 (Reno). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 89512 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.