Spring signifies the arrival of warmer temperatures and sunnier skies, although the lingering sub-freezing conditions tend to persist until fall. While it’s impossible to accurately predict the exact date of the final freeze each year due to the unpredictability of weather patterns, there is an average timeframe that can serve as a general guideline.
The map below illustrates the range of dates for the average final spring freeze (last temperature of 32 degrees or lower) across the Lower 48 states based on NOAA’s data from 1991-2020. Typically, the Southern regions experience their final freeze before the end of March, whereas higher elevations in the West may not see the last sub-freezing temperature until late May or even June.
Understanding when specific cities can anticipate the season’s average final freeze is crucial for gardeners and helps in determining when to transition to warmer clothing. Cities along the Gulf Coast and in the Deep South typically encounter their average last freeze earliest in the year, although this can vary depending on annual weather conditions.
Some cities have infrequent occurrences of freezing temperatures, such as Miami, which has recorded only a few instances of freezes since 1950. Conversely, areas like the Desert Southwest and Southern California experience their average last freeze before mid-January, with cities like Los Angeles and San Diego seldom encountering freezing temperatures.
As we move into March and April, a significant portion of the South, portions of the Interstate 95 corridor, Desert Southwest, and West Coast observe their final freezes. The timing of the last freeze can extend into April or even May in some cases, as seen in Atlanta’s history of late-season freezes.
From late March to early April, regions spanning southern New Mexico to the Northeast urban heat islands typically experience the last freeze of the season. In mid- to late April, cities from the Plains to the East Coast generally have their average final freezes.
For those residing in northern regions and the Mountain West, the average last freeze dates fall in early to mid-May. Freezes occurring after May 15 are typically limited to areas near the Canadian border or the highest elevations of the Rocky Mountains.
In rare cases, locations like Crested Butte, CO, have encountered a last freeze as late as July. This information can help individuals plan their gardening activities and prepare for potential temperature fluctuations even as spring progresses.
Please rewrite the following text: It was recorded on August 2, 2018.
