Frost Dates for 89801 — Elko, Nevada

Half of springs at Elko NWS Office, NV see their last 32°F night by May 26; only one in ten is past it by May 8, and one in ten still has one after June 12. Planting tender crops after June 3 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after June 6 20%, and after June 12 10%. The 17 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 82% of the 38 Nevada stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by September 23 in half of years, as early as September 12 one year in ten, and holds off past October 6 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 11 days later, around October 4; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is June 1, 11 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 120 days in a typical year, shorter than at 84% of the 38 Nevada stations; it reaches 141 days one year in ten and falls short of 98 one year in ten. On average 190 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 12 days longer, to about June 7, and return around September 14. Severe cold of 16°F or below comes every winter, usually between November 4 and March 12.

July is the warmest month at Elko NWS Office, NV, averaging 92°F by day and 55°F at night; January is the coldest at 36°F and 16°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from October to May (a 90% chance or more). From July to August the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, June still brings one in 36% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,354 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 82% of the 38 Nevada stations. 26% of them (612) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 717. Precipitation totals 10.7 inches a year, most in January (1.3") and least in August (0.3"); May to September bring 33% of it.

The nearest other station, Elko Regional Airport, NV, 4 miles southwest of Elko and 205 feet lower, has a last frost 3 days later (May 29), a first frost 5 days earlier (September 18), a season 9 days shorter.

The first measurable snow (0.1 inch or more) in Elko usually arrives around November 8, and the last of the season around April 21. Those are the middle dates across the winters of 1991–2020 at Elko NWS Office, NV, 1.6 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 35 days after the last snow.

ZIP 89801 is 2 miles from Elko NWS Office, NV, which stands at 5,235 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 89801 in zone 5a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged -20 to -15°F (-28.9 to -26.1°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.