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Will it freeze in Richmond in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Sat, Nov 7: 29°F (Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 PM EST to Sun, Nov 8, 6:00 AM EST).
Tonight: forecast low 43°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM EST.
6 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 43°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Fri, Nov 6 34°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
- Sat, Nov 7 29°F Freeze · Partly Cloudy
- Sun, Nov 8 30°F Freeze · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 34°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
- Tue, Nov 10 35°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Wed, Nov 11 36°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
Overnight lows from the National Weather Service forecast for this location. This covers the available forecast window, not the first freeze of the whole season. Frost can form above 32°F on clear, calm nights.
Frost and freeze probabilities
Freeze dates shift from year to year. Spring percentages describe the chance of a freeze after the stated date; fall percentages describe the chance of a freeze by that date. The 10% spring date is the cautious one: a later freeze happens about 1 year in 10.
These dates describe historical probabilities, not this year’s forecast or the earliest and latest possible freezes. Different weather stations or probability thresholds can produce different published dates for the same city.
Average first hard freeze in Richmond
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is November 1, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Eastern Kentucky University. This is the 50% probability date, not a forecast for this year.
| Temperature | Last spring date 90% · 50% · 10% chance of a later freeze | First fall date 10% · 50% · 90% chance of an earlier freeze | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F frost possible | Apr 12 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 3 · Oct 14 · Oct 25 | 171 days |
| 32°F freeze | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 190 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Mar 20 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 211 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Eastern Kentucky University
Average low temperature by month
Months with lows near or below freezing carry frost risk
Where these frost dates come from
The frost dates for Richmond, KY come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Eastern Kentucky University (station USC00152409, elevation 1,000 ft), 2.4 mi from Richmond. Local conditions (valleys, hilltops, distance to water, city heat) can shift frost dates by days or weeks. The hardiness zone is from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA ARS and Oregon State University PRISM). See our methodology.
Frost dates near Richmond
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berea, KY | 9.9 mi | Apr 5 | Nov 2 |
| Nicholasville, KY | 19 mi | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Winchester, KY | 20 mi | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Wilmore, KY | 22 mi | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Lexington, KY | 23 mi | Apr 13 | Oct 28 |
| Danville, KY | 27 mi | Apr 9 | Oct 27 |
| Mount Sterling, KY | 30 mi | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Harrodsburg, KY | 30 mi | Apr 7 | Nov 1 |
| Versailles, KY | 32 mi | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
| Paris, KY | 32 mi | Apr 18 | Oct 23 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Richmond?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Richmond is around April 15. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after April 30, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after March 31.
When is the first frost in Richmond?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 22. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by October 10 and a 90% chance by November 4.
Can it frost in Richmond after the last frost date?
Yes. Frost can form on clear, calm nights even when the air stays above 32°F. Temperatures of 36°F or lower, cold enough for frost on exposed plants, have a 50% chance of occurring after April 23.
What growing zone is Richmond?
Richmond is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 0 to 5°F), based on the 2023 USDA map for ZIP code 40475. See growing zones in Kentucky.
More: all Kentucky frost dates · Kentucky growing zones · UV index today in Richmond · frost vs. freeze