California frost dates
The typical last spring frost ranges from Jan 1 in Furnace Creek to Jun 10 in Mammoth Lakes.
47 of the 90 California cities listed have typical frost dates; 18 are frost-free and 25 have frost in fewer than half of years. The longest frost-free season is 364 days in Burbank; the shortest is 98 days in Mammoth Lakes. For a single address, look up your ZIP code: rural ZIPs use their nearest suitable station.
| City | Last spring frost | 1 in 10 after | First fall frost | 1 in 10 before | Hard freeze (28°F) | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Antioch | Jan 12 | Feb 1 | Dec 19 | Nov 29 | rare (35% of years) | 343 days |
| Bakersfield | Jan 17 | Feb 18 | Dec 15 | Nov 30 | rare (41% of years) | 334 days |
| Berkeley | Frost in about 27% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Big Bear Lake | May 27 | Jun 9 | Oct 4 | Sep 21 | May 4 / Oct 20 | 131 days |
| Burbank | Jan 2 | Jan 31 | Dec 26 | Dec 5 | rare (3% of years) | 364 days |
| Carlsbad | Jan 23 | Feb 22 | Dec 11 | Nov 21 | rare (41% of years) | 325 days |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | Frost in about 20% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Chico | Mar 4 | Apr 2 | Nov 17 | Nov 1 | Feb 5 / Dec 3 | 257 days |
| Chula Vista | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Clovis | Jan 14 | Feb 11 | Dec 14 | Nov 29 | rare (33% of years) | 337 days |
| Concord | Jan 9 | Feb 12 | Dec 14 | Nov 28 | rare (27% of years) | 343 days |
| Corona | Jan 17 | Feb 22 | Dec 19 | Nov 27 | rare (29% of years) | 335 days |
| Costa Mesa | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Daly City | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Downey | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| East Los Angeles | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| El Cajon | Jan 6 | Feb 7 | Dec 21 | Dec 1 | rare (16% of years) | 350 days |
| El Monte | Frost in about 15% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Elk Grove | Feb 2 | Mar 5 | Dec 2 | Nov 16 | Jan 4 / Dec 16 | 301 days |
| Escondido | Frost in about 39% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Fairfield | Jan 15 | Feb 16 | Dec 14 | Nov 29 | rare (44% of years) | 336 days |
| Fontana | Jan 9 | Feb 21 | Dec 30 | Dec 5 | rare (7% of years) | 362 days |
| Fremont | Frost in about 43% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Fresno | Jan 14 | Feb 11 | Dec 14 | Nov 29 | rare (33% of years) | 337 days |
| Fullerton | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Furnace Creek | Jan 1 | Jan 21 | Dec 19 | Dec 4 | rare (24% of years) | 350 days |
| Garden Grove | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Glendale | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Hayward | Frost in about 45% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Hesperia | Mar 18 | Apr 12 | Nov 11 | Oct 27 | Feb 22 / Nov 24 | 233 days |
| Huntington Beach | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Inglewood | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Irvine | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Jurupa Valley | Jan 9 | Feb 21 | Dec 30 | Dec 5 | rare (7% of years) | 362 days |
| Laguna Beach | Frost in about 20% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Lancaster | Apr 3 | Apr 23 | Nov 1 | Oct 17 | Mar 8 / Nov 10 | 211 days |
| Long Beach | Frost in about 11% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Los Angeles | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Malibu | Frost in about 25% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Mammoth Lakes | Jun 10 | Jun 30 | Sep 17 | Sep 2 | May 31 / Oct 1 | 98 days |
| Menifee | Jan 31 | Feb 28 | Dec 10 | Nov 22 | Jan 3 / Dec 21 | 315 days |
| Modesto | Jan 31 | Feb 25 | Dec 5 | Nov 20 | Jan 8 / Dec 21 | 312 days |
| Monterey | Frost in about 20% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Moreno Valley | Jan 27 | Feb 28 | Dec 19 | Dec 1 | rare (26% of years) | 329 days |
| Murrieta | Frost in about 17% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Napa | Feb 12 | Mar 13 | Dec 4 | Nov 15 | Jan 11 / Dec 19 | 299 days |
| Oakland | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Oceanside | Jan 23 | Feb 22 | Dec 11 | Nov 21 | rare (41% of years) | 325 days |
| Ontario | Frost in about 41% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Orange | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Oxnard | Frost in about 29% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Palm Springs | Frost in about 11% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Palmdale | Mar 10 | Apr 11 | Nov 19 | Nov 3 | Feb 13 / Dec 1 | 248 days |
| Pasadena | Frost in about 13% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Pomona | Jan 8 | Feb 18 | Dec 28 | Dec 5 | rare (7% of years) | 354 days |
| Rancho Cucamonga | Frost in about 41% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Rialto | Frost in about 45% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Richmond | Frost in about 22% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Riverside | Jan 9 | Feb 21 | Dec 30 | Dec 5 | rare (7% of years) | 362 days |
| Roseville | Jan 12 | Feb 8 | Dec 16 | Nov 28 | rare (25% of years) | 341 days |
| Sacramento | Jan 12 | Feb 8 | Dec 16 | Nov 28 | rare (25% of years) | 341 days |
| Salinas | Jan 29 | Mar 1 | Dec 10 | Nov 21 | rare (36% of years) | 325 days |
| San Bernardino | Jan 27 | Feb 28 | Dec 19 | Dec 1 | rare (26% of years) | 329 days |
| San Diego | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| San Francisco | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| San Jose | Jan 12 | Feb 14 | Dec 22 | Dec 1 | rare (20% of years) | 347 days |
| San Mateo | Frost in about 12% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Santa Ana | Frost-free (no 32°F nights in the normals) | |||||
| Santa Barbara | Frost in about 11% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Santa Clara | Jan 12 | Feb 14 | Dec 22 | Dec 1 | rare (20% of years) | 347 days |
| Santa Clarita | Frost in about 37% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Santa Maria | Feb 4 | Mar 16 | Dec 13 | Nov 21 | rare (48% of years) | 315 days |
| Santa Rosa | Feb 25 | Mar 29 | Dec 1 | Nov 10 | Jan 20 / Dec 16 | 279 days |
| Simi Valley | Jan 24 | Mar 5 | Dec 15 | Nov 27 | rare (35% of years) | 329 days |
| Solvang | Apr 11 | May 6 | Nov 8 | Oct 14 | Feb 27 / Nov 27 | 209 days |
| South Lake Tahoe | Jun 5 | Jun 22 | Oct 9 | Sep 24 | May 12 / Oct 24 | 126 days |
| Stockton | Feb 6 | Feb 28 | Dec 1 | Nov 15 | Jan 10 / Dec 16 | 304 days |
| Sunnyvale | Jan 6 | Feb 4 | Dec 23 | Dec 3 | rare (14% of years) | 353 days |
| Temecula | Frost in about 17% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Thousand Oaks | Jan 24 | Mar 5 | Dec 15 | Nov 27 | rare (35% of years) | 329 days |
| Torrance | Frost in about 11% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Tracy | Jan 19 | Feb 17 | Dec 10 | Nov 26 | Jan 1 / Dec 22 | 330 days |
| Vacaville | Feb 18 | Mar 25 | Nov 28 | Nov 12 | Jan 15 / Dec 10 | 283 days |
| Vallejo | Mar 5 | Apr 16 | Nov 21 | Nov 3 | Jan 23 / Dec 5 | 256 days |
| Ventura | Frost in about 29% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Victorville | Mar 18 | Apr 12 | Nov 11 | Oct 27 | Feb 22 / Nov 24 | 233 days |
| Visalia | Jan 23 | Feb 27 | Dec 13 | Nov 27 | Jan 2 / Dec 25 | 328 days |
| West Covina | Frost in about 15% of years; no typical date | |||||
| Yosemite Valley | Apr 21 | May 13 | Oct 27 | Oct 12 | Apr 2 / Nov 9 | 186 days |
Reading the table: Simi Valley
In Simi Valley, the last spring frost typically comes around Jan 24: in half of years it is earlier, in half later. In 1 year in 10 it comes after Mar 5, 40 days later, so tender plants set out after that date have a 90% chance of escaping frost. In fall, the first frost typically arrives around Dec 15, and in 1 year in 10 before Nov 27. Hard freezes (28°F) usually end earlier in spring and start later in fall.
Frost dates at more California weather stations
NOAA stations across California used by our ZIP code lookup, named for the town they are in.
| Station | Elevation | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adin RS | 4,195 ft | May 28 (1 in 10 after Jun 16) | Sep 29 (before Sep 10) |
| Alpine | 1,695 ft | Feb 12 (1 in 10 after Mar 20) | Dec 24 (before Dec 2) |
| Angwin Pacific Union College | 1,715 ft | Apr 7 (1 in 10 after Apr 30) | Dec 5 (before Nov 14) |
| Ash Mtn | 1,708 ft | Mar 12 (1 in 10 after Apr 16) | Dec 9 (before Nov 17) |
| Auberry 2 Nw | 2,090 ft | Mar 25 (1 in 10 after Apr 22) | Dec 3 (before Nov 14) |
| Auburn | 1,292 ft | Feb 25 (1 in 10 after Apr 7) | Dec 5 (before Nov 15) |
| Balch Pwr House | 1,735 ft | Feb 23 (1 in 10 after Apr 4) | Dec 12 (before Nov 25) |
| Ben Lomond #4 | 420 ft | Mar 25 (1 in 10 after Apr 21) | Nov 11 (before Oct 18) |
| Bowman Dam | 5,385 ft | May 12 (1 in 10 after Jun 2) | Oct 29 (before Oct 10) |
| Camp Pardee | 658 ft | Jan 22 (1 in 10 after Mar 1) | Dec 17 (before Dec 1) |
| Canyon Dam | 4,560 ft | May 18 (1 in 10 after Jun 9) | Oct 8 (before Sep 24) |
| Clearlake 4 Se | 1,349 ft | Apr 10 (1 in 10 after Apr 30) | Nov 6 (before Oct 24) |
| Cloverdale | 400 ft | Feb 25 (1 in 10 after Apr 2) | Dec 3 (before Nov 14) |
| Colfax | 2,380 ft | Apr 3 (1 in 10 after Apr 29) | Nov 24 (before Nov 2) |
| Colusa 2 Ssw | 50 ft | Feb 14 (1 in 10 after Mar 31) | Dec 1 (before Nov 11) |
| Corcoran Irrig Dist | 200 ft | Feb 15 (1 in 10 after Mar 10) | Nov 27 (before Nov 12) |
| Covelo | 1,413 ft | Apr 23 (1 in 10 after May 11) | Oct 19 (before Oct 2) |
| De Sabla | 2,710 ft | Apr 17 (1 in 10 after May 11) | Nov 11 (before Oct 21) |
| Dobbins 1 S | 1,640 ft | Apr 1 (1 in 10 after Apr 22) | Nov 17 (before Oct 31) |
| Elsinore | 1,268 ft | Jan 28 (1 in 10 after Feb 27) | Dec 18 (before Dec 1) |
| Eureka WFO Woodley Island | 20 ft | Feb 22 (1 in 10 after Mar 23) | Dec 7 (before Nov 15) |
| Five Points 5 Ssw | 285 ft | Feb 27 (1 in 10 after Apr 13) | Nov 26 (before Nov 8) |
| Ft Bragg 5 N | 123 ft | Mar 2 (1 in 10 after Apr 6) | Dec 1 (before Nov 9) |
| Glennville | 3,140 ft | May 11 (1 in 10 after Jun 6) | Oct 17 (before Sep 30) |
| Graton | 200 ft | Mar 20 (1 in 10 after Apr 19) | Nov 13 (before Oct 26) |
| Grizzly Creek Sp | 413 ft | Mar 4 (1 in 10 after Apr 8) | Nov 22 (before Nov 1) |
| Groveland 2 | 2,800 ft | Apr 22 (1 in 10 after May 14) | Nov 2 (before Oct 13) |
| Hanford 1 S | 237 ft | Feb 7 (1 in 10 after Mar 4) | Dec 1 (before Nov 16) |
| Hat Creek | 3,015 ft | May 29 (1 in 10 after Jun 23) | Sep 19 (before Sep 5) |
| Julian Cdf | 4,215 ft | Mar 27 (1 in 10 after Apr 30) | Dec 1 (before Nov 3) |
| Kentfield | 145 ft | Jan 16 (1 in 10 after Feb 25) | Dec 18 (before Nov 30) |
| Lake Arrowhead | 5,205 ft | May 5 (1 in 10 after May 31) | Nov 2 (before Oct 12) |
| Lemoore Reeves NAS | 232 ft | Feb 24 (1 in 10 after Mar 30) | Nov 22 (before Nov 3) |
| Livermore | 393 ft | Feb 15 (1 in 10 after Mar 13) | Dec 2 (before Nov 16) |
| Lodi | 40 ft | Feb 9 (1 in 10 after Mar 7) | Dec 5 (before Nov 17) |
| Marysville Yuba Co Airport | 62 ft | Feb 11 (1 in 10 after Mar 12) | Nov 30 (before Nov 12) |
| Merced Muni Airport | 152 ft | Feb 26 (1 in 10 after Apr 1) | Nov 25 (before Nov 9) |
| Nevada City | 2,781 ft | Apr 14 (1 in 10 after May 7) | Nov 20 (before Oct 23) |
| Newport Beach Harbor | 10 ft | frost-free | |
| Orland | 254 ft | Feb 25 (1 in 10 after Apr 6) | Dec 2 (before Nov 17) |
| Oroville Muni Airport | 190 ft | Jan 29 (1 in 10 after Feb 28) | Dec 7 (before Nov 20) |
| Pacific House | 3,450 ft | Apr 26 (1 in 10 after May 19) | Nov 2 (before Oct 14) |
| Paso Robles Muni Airport | 810 ft | Apr 4 (1 in 10 after Apr 27) | Nov 5 (before Oct 17) |
| Pearblossom | 3,101 ft | Mar 13 (1 in 10 after Apr 17) | Dec 1 (before Nov 12) |
| Petaluma Airport | 20 ft | Feb 28 (1 in 10 after Apr 6) | Nov 25 (before Nov 9) |
| Placerville | 1,850 ft | Mar 31 (1 in 10 after Apr 23) | Nov 21 (before Nov 1) |
| Portola | 4,850 ft | Jun 11 (1 in 10 after Jul 2) | Sep 10 (before Aug 22) |
| Red Bluff Muni Airport | 353 ft | Feb 22 (1 in 10 after Mar 30) | Nov 29 (before Nov 12) |
| Redding Muni Airport | 497 ft | Mar 3 (1 in 10 after Apr 9) | Nov 21 (before Nov 7) |
| Redwood City | 31 ft | Jan 17 (1 in 10 after Feb 16) | Dec 12 (before Nov 24) |
| Richardson Gr Sp | 503 ft | Mar 10 (1 in 10 after Apr 13) | Dec 1 (before Nov 7) |
| San Luis Obispo Poly | 308 ft | Jan 16 (1 in 10 after Feb 26) | Dec 25 (before Nov 25) |
| Santa Cruz | 70 ft | Jan 29 (1 in 10 after Feb 28) | Dec 13 (before Nov 23) |
| Sonora | 1,675 ft | Apr 9 (1 in 10 after Apr 30) | Nov 9 (before Oct 19) |
| Sutter Hill Cdf | 1,586 ft | Mar 4 (1 in 10 after Apr 8) | Dec 11 (before Nov 19) |
| Tahoe City | 6,230 ft | Jun 9 (1 in 10 after Jun 25) | Sep 25 (before Sep 9) |
| Turlock #2 | 103 ft | Jan 6 (1 in 10 after Jan 31) | Dec 20 (before Dec 3) |
| Ukiah Muni Airport | 601 ft | Mar 5 (1 in 10 after Apr 7) | Nov 21 (before Nov 2) |
| Woodland 1 Wnw | 67 ft | Feb 7 (1 in 10 after Mar 11) | Dec 5 (before Nov 19) |
| Woodside Fire Stn 1 | 380 ft | Feb 25 (1 in 10 after Apr 11) | Nov 25 (before Nov 3) |
32°F dates from NOAA 1991-2020 freeze probabilities for each city's station. "1 in 10 after": a 10% chance of a later spring frost (planting is 90% safe after it). How to read frost dates.