First/Last freeze, Average growing season?? (records, days, city, frost)

[txsizzler]

This is something I am curious about.. when does your area typically see its first and last freeze of the season? What is the average growing days for your area? Also, how many freezes do you see on average per year?


Here are mine, for Portland, TX.

-Average first freeze is around December 25th.
-Average last freeze is around January 30th.
-Typical growing season length is 329 days.
-We normally see 2-4 freezes a year, IF we even have a freeze! Our average overnight low in the coldest part of January is 50°F.

I know WaveRunner did a similar thread to this using weather maps, but I am looking for something with more pinpoint accuracy! Those weather maps were a bit too vague, although quite interesting!


Ian

[Infamous92]

New York City

First Frost: October 27th
Last Frost: April 13th

I can't find the data for the First Freeze, Last Freeze, and Growing Season, where'd you find out for Portland?

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by txsizzler

This is something I am curious about.. when does your area typically see its first and last freeze of the season? What is the average growing days for your area? Also, how many freezes do you see on average per year?


Here are mine, for Portland, TX.

-Average first freeze is around December 25th.
-Average last freeze is around January 30th.
-Typical growing season length is 329 days.
-We normally see 2-4 freezes a year, IF we even have a freeze! Our average overnight low in the coldest part of January is 50°F.

I know WaveRunner did a similar thread to this using weather maps, but I am looking for something with more pinpoint accuracy! Those weather maps were a bit too vague, although quite interesting!

Ian

I find this topic very interesting as well… as you mentioned. The only way to get pin-point frost/freeze data is using NWS Now Data. You can find it on your local NWS page. The semi-problem with this…is that only certain areas is listed. In the more rural states it can be tough to get data in many spots. I know that sites like the Weather Channel and AccuWeather have information like this…but they are notoriously not very accurate. NOAA is the best bet.

Here is the only NOAA map I have ever seen of the number of frost free days nationwide (I don’t know if you saw this one or not). This might give you some idea of the answer to your question of growing season in USA compared to your area. I did a fairly extensive study here at work using this map…and it was accurate about 95% of the time. It might be hard to see the numbers , but the shading can show your how the lines move south to north. I wish I had something better (lol).

Otherwise, the only thing I know of that is more specific is NOAA Now Data. It’s quite time consuming, but if you use bigger stations you might be able to find what you’re looking for.

As far as my location right now (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)...the growing season is 365 days long. There is no frost (lol).

[txsizzler]

Originally Posted by Infamous92

New York City

First Frost: October 27th
Last Frost: April 13th

I can't find the data for the First Freeze, Last Freeze, and Growing Season, where'd you find out for Portland?

Like WaveHunter mentioned, the best data can be found through the NWS website under the NOW data. Portland, sadly, is not listed in this, so I have had to use other websites, as well as our local chamber of commerece, and the little airport that is a NWS observation post that is about 2 miles NE of where I live here in town.

I love this kind of statistical information, and look forward to seeing what other locales are like!


Ian

[Nameless]

Oklahoma City:

First Freeze: November 4th
Record First Freeze: October 7th
Last Freeze: March 30th
Record Last Freeze: May 3rd
Average Growing Season: 217 days

This is all from Noaa. The only thing that seems to be changing is we are having frost a lot more periodically in April it seems.

[txsizzler]

Originally Posted by Nameless

Oklahoma City:

First Freeze: November 4th
Record First Freeze: October 7th
Last Freeze: March 30th
Record Last Freeze: May 3rd
Average Growing Season: 217 days

This is all from Noaa. The only thing that seems to be changing is we are having frost a lot more periodically in April it seems.

Thats a good idea.. putting the Record earliest and latest freezes on there as well! Here is Portland, TX. Records:

-Record earliest Freeze: November 13th (1916)
-Record latest Freeze: March 27th (1913)

Originally Posted by txsizzler

Originally Posted by txsizzler
This is something I am curious about.. when does your area typically see its first and last freeze of the season? What is the average growing days for your area? Also, how many freezes do you see on average per year?


Here are mine, for Portland, TX.

-Average first freeze is around December 25th.
-Average last freeze is around January 30th.
-Typical growing season length is 329 days.
-We normally see 2-4 freezes a year, IF we even have a freeze! Our average overnight low in the coldest part of January is 50°F.

I know WaveRunner did a similar thread to this using weather maps, but I am looking for something with more pinpoint accuracy! Those weather maps were a bit too vague, although quite interesting!

Ian

[DaninEGF]

Grand Forks ND

First freeze Sept 20
Last freeze may 12

[Jammie]

Good topic, but I'm having problems finding info for my exact city. Mine would be fairly comparable to Dan's except just a bit later freeze.

I did find that Oct. 1st is the avg. first freeze and the record 1st freeze was Sept 3rd, 1974. The data is for Sioux Falls, which is nearby.

[Botev1912]

Seattle - first freeze Nov 11, last freeze Mar 24. Growing season 231 days

[txsizzler]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Seattle - first freeze Nov 11, last freeze Mar 24. Growing season 231 days

Wow.. Seattle has a long growing season!!! Considering how far north it is, its pretty impressive, even considering the coastal locale of it. Compare it with coastal Maine locations, and Seattle is much MUCH longer!


Ian