Your nature year
Sumter, South Carolinathrough the year
When do frost, green-up and fall color come to Sumter?
At the nearest NOAA station, Sumter, the average first fall frost is Nov 7 and the last spring frost Mar 24, which leaves Sumter some 228 growing days. At some 147 feet up, Sumter is on low ground.
The USA-NPN spring index puts first leaf here around Feb 7 and first bloom around Mar 12. About 5 weeks pass between first leaf and first bloom here. Head west for the closest of the 4 places we follow around Sumter. Congaree National Park, 26 miles from Sumter, is the nearest fall foliage spot on this site, usually at its best Oct 21–Nov 10. For synchronous fireflies, the nearest is Congaree National Park (26 mi, usually May 11–Jun 20).
Updated Sep 27. Sources: US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 ↗ (opens in a new tab), NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Sumter's year at a glance
- Frost possible
- Frost-free, ~Mar 24 to ~Nov 7
- First leaf ~Feb 7
- First bloom ~Mar 12
- Today
Near Sumter right now
- First fall frost usually around Nov 7 · last spring frost around Mar 24NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sumter (2.8 mi, 50% dates)~6 weeks
- Pee Dee Refuge · 79 mi · Local timing: Sep 1–Nov 30Fall foliage · in its window now
- Winter wildlife · Santee Refuge · 28 miLocal timing: Nov 1–Feb 28~5 weeks
Sumter's nature year
- Feb: Spring green-upFeb
- Mar: Last spring frostMar
- Synchronous fireflies · Congaree National ParkMay–Jun
- Fall foliage · Congaree National ParkOct–Nov
- Nov: First fall frostNov
- Winter wildlife · Santee RefugeNov–Feb
Nearby, season by season
Fall foliage
- Congaree National Park · 26 miusually Oct 21–Nov 10~3 weeks
- Pee Dee Refuge · 79 miLocal timing: Sep 1–Nov 30
Synchronous fireflies
- Congaree National Park · 26 miusually May 11–Jun 20~7 months
Winter wildlife
- Santee Refuge · 28 miLocal timing: Nov 1–Feb 28~5 weeks
- Savannah Refuge · 128 miLocal timing: Dec 1–Jan 31~2 months
Frost and green-up
Last spring frost
Mar 24
Average (50% date)
First fall frost
Nov 7
About 228 days without frost between
Spring green-up
Feb 7
First bloom around Mar 12
Frost: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at Sumter (2.8 mi from Sumter), the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not. Green-up: the USA-NPN Spring Index, 1991–2020 average at the town.
Questions people ask
When is the first frost in Sumter?
On average around Nov 7, and the last spring frost around Mar 24: about 228 days without frost between. These are NOAA's 1991–2020 normals at Sumter, 2.8 miles away (the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not).
When does spring green-up reach Sumter?
The USA-NPN Spring Index puts first leaf around Feb 7 and first bloom around Mar 12, on average for 1991–2020 at the town.
Where can I see fall foliage near Sumter?
Congaree National Park, 26 miles (usually Oct 21–Nov 10); Pee Dee Refuge, 79 miles (local timing: Sep 1–Nov 30). Distances are straight-line.
Where can I see synchronous fireflies near Sumter?
Congaree National Park, 26 miles (usually May 11–Jun 20). Distances are straight-line.
How we know
US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)