Frost dates by ZIP code

By Abdi S., a nature lover who checks every guide against university extension sources. · Data from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for 7,247 US weather stations

How to read your frost dates

• Typical last frost (spring): there's an even chance (50%) of another frost after this date.
• Safe date (spring): only a 10% chance of frost after this date. Use it for plants that can't take any frost.
• Early risk (fall): by this date there's a 10% chance the first frost has already come.
• Typical first frost (fall): an even chance the first frost has come by this date.
• Light frost, frost and hard freeze are nights when the station's lowest temperature is at or below 36 °F, 32 °F or 28 °F.

These are NOAA's own definitions: the dates come from 30 years of daily temperatures at each station (1991–2020). A typical year can still be early or late.

Why your garden can differ

The dates belong to one weather station, not your garden. They'll match best when the station is close to you and at a similar elevation, which is why the result shows both. If the station is far away or much higher or lower than you, treat the dates as a rough guide.

Frost dates for some major cities

Dates for a 32 °F frost at each city's main airport station.

Looking for your hardiness zone?

Frost dates tell you when frost comes; your hardiness zone tells you how cold winter gets. Find your zone on the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.