National Weather ServiceFrost AdvisoryVTEC FR.YArchive to October 1, 2026
Frost Advisory: what it means and how often it is issued
The National Weather Service issued 602 frost advisories in 2025 and 547 a year on average in 2008-2025; California, New York and Pennsylvania got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 429, 33% above the average of 322 for those months in 2008-2025.
What is a frost advisory?
A frost advisory means frost is expected on clear, calm nights during the growing season, with temperatures a few degrees above freezing. An advisory is issued for a hazard less serious than a warning that can still cause inconvenience or danger if people are not careful.
Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.
How many frost advisories a year?
National count: each frost advisory counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 431 |
| 2025 | 602 |
| 2024 | 633 |
| 2023 | 570 |
| 2022 | 600 |
| 2021 | 586 |
| 2020 | 667 |
| 2019 | 413 |
| 2018 | 405 |
| 2017 | 445 |
| 2016 | 491 |
| 2015 | 508 |
| 2014 | 473 |
| 2013 | 647 |
| 2012 | 573 |
| 2011 | 529 |
| 2010 | 634 |
| 2009 | 575 |
| 2008 | 490 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Which states get the most frost advisories?
Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A frost advisory covering two states counts in both.
| State | A year, 2021-2025 | A year, 2008-2025 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 100 | 83 | 100 |
| New York | 38 | 41 | 47 |
| Pennsylvania | 37 | 34 | 44 |
| Wisconsin | 35 | 31 | 37 |
| Ohio | 34 | 27 | 32 |
| North Carolina | 32 | 33 | 26 |
| Virginia | 30 | 27 | 27 |
| Georgia | 29 | 25 | 23 |
| Michigan | 28 | 30 | 34 |
| Indiana | 28 | 25 | 19 |
| Kentucky | 28 | 25 | 21 |
| West Virginia | 27 | 22 | 38 |
| Florida | 27 | 19 | 29 |
| Kansas | 25 | 26 | 23 |
| Minnesota | 25 | 24 | 27 |
| Illinois | 22 | 20 | 16 |
| Missouri | 21 | 20 | 13 |
| Oregon | 20 | 31 | 20 |
| Nebraska | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Idaho | 18 | 9 | 23 |
| Maryland | 18 | 15 | 22 |
| Tennessee | 17 | 19 | 2 |
| Iowa | 16 | 14 | 7 |
| Maine | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| New Jersey | 15 | 13 | 16 |
| Alabama | 14 | 12 | 12 |
| Vermont | 13 | 13 | 18 |
| South Carolina | 13 | 16 | 6 |
| Washington | 13 | 5 | 22 |
| Colorado | 12 | 12 | 13 |
| Arkansas | 12 | 10 | 12 |
| Connecticut | 11 | 12 | 11 |
| Oklahoma | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| North Dakota | 9 | 11 | 11 |
| New Hampshire | 7 | 10 | 8 |
| South Dakota | 7 | 8 | 12 |
| Texas | 6 | 9 | 8 |
| Massachusetts | 6 | 11 | 4 |
| Mississippi | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| Delaware | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Alaska | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| Wyoming | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Nevada | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Montana | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Rhode Island | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Louisiana | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Arizona | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Utah | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.