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Will it freeze in Waynesville in the next 7 nights?
The earliest overnight low at or below 32°F in the available NWS frost forecast is Sat, Nov 7: 30°F (Sat, Nov 7, 6:00 PM EST to Sun, Nov 8, 6:00 AM EST).
Tonight: forecast low 46°F. Above 36°F.
NWS forecast period: Thu, Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST to Fri, Nov 6, 6:00 AM EST.
5 of the next 7 nights are forecast at 36°F or colder, cold enough for frost on exposed plants.
- Tonight 46°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Fri, Nov 6 38°F Above 36°F · Partly Cloudy
- Sat, Nov 7 30°F Freeze · Partly Cloudy
- Sun, Nov 8 32°F Freeze · Mostly Clear
- Mon, Nov 9 35°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
- Tue, Nov 10 35°F Frost possible · Partly Cloudy
- Wed, Nov 11 34°F Frost possible · Mostly Clear
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 Waynesville
The median first fall hard-freeze date (28°F) is October 22, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Waynesville 1 E. 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 26 · May 11 · May 24 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 147 days |
| 32°F freeze | Apr 13 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 4 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 167 days |
| 28°F hard freeze | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 3 | Oct 11 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 191 days |
Average high temperature by month
1991–2020 normals at Waynesville 1 E
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 Waynesville, NC come from the nearest weather station with freeze statistics in NOAA’s 1991–2020 Climate Normals: Waynesville 1 E (station USC00319147, elevation 2,658 ft), 1.7 mi from Waynesville. 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 Waynesville
| City | Distance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brevard, NC | 22 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Mills River, NC | 24 mi | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Woodfin, NC | 25 mi | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| Asheville, NC | 25 mi | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| Fletcher, NC | 28 mi | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Hendersonville, NC | 32 mi | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
| Newport, TN | 35 mi | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Pigeon Forge, TN | 39 mi | Apr 17 | Oct 25 |
| Black Mountain, NC | 39 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 23 |
| Sevierville, TN | 43 mi | Apr 6 | Oct 29 |
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Waynesville?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) in Waynesville is around April 30. In about 1 year in 10 it comes after May 15, and in 9 years in 10 it comes after April 13.
When is the first frost in Waynesville?
The first fall frost (32°F) usually arrives around October 14. There’s a 10% chance of a freeze by October 4 and a 90% chance by October 26.
Can it frost in Waynesville 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 May 11.
What growing zone is Waynesville?
Waynesville 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 28786. See growing zones in North Carolina.
More: all North Carolina frost dates · North Carolina growing zones · frost vs. freeze