Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for Burney, CA

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the spring

As spring unfolds, the risk of frost gradually decreases each day until your tender plants are finally safe. The probabilities shown in the chart help you make smart decisions about when to plant.

While frost typically forms at 32°F, tender plants can be damaged even when temperatures are slightly higher. Air temperatures are often measured several feet above the ground, but temperatures at plant level can be several degrees colder. Protected areas like porches help by blocking radiational cooling. Given these variables, we consider 36°F the "caution zone" for frost-sensitive plants.

Key dates for your spring planting:

  • By August 6, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
  • Around July 10, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
  • Before June 22, there's still an 80% risk of frost — too early for tomatoes and other tender plants unless you're prepared to protect them

If the 10-day forecast shows no temperatures below 40°F, you might safely plant earlier than the above dates suggest. Many gardeners watch for this weather window to get a head start on the growing season.

In the Spring
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
Last 16° Apr 22 Apr 11 Apr 3 Mar 27 Mar 20 Mar 13 Mar 6 Feb 26 Feb 14
Last 20° May 12 May 3 Apr 27 Apr 21 Apr 16 Apr 11 Apr 6 Mar 30 Mar 21
Last 24° May 31 May 23 May 17 May 12 May 7 May 3 Apr 28 Apr 22 Apr 14
Last 28° Jul 4 Jun 23 Jun 15 Jun 9 Jun 3 May 27 May 21 May 13 May 2
Last 32° Jul 22 Jul 12 Jul 4 Jun 28 Jun 22 Jun 16 Jun 10 Jun 3 May 23
Last 36° Aug 6 Jul 28 Jul 21 Jul 15 Jul 10 Jul 5 Jun 29 Jun 22 Jun 13

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall

As summer ends in Burney, CA, nighttime temperatures begin to drop, and your risk of frost increases with each passing day. Knowing when to expect frost helps you harvest sensitive crops and extend your growing season with protection methods.

The chart below shows the probability of experiencing specific temperatures on various dates. Here's what this means for your garden:

1
Early warning: Around August 15, there's a 20% chance of 32°F — start monitoring forecasts and have plant covers ready
2
Decision time: By August 27, there's a 50% chance of frost — harvest tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops or prepare protection
3
Last chance: By September 7, there's an 80% chance of seeing 32°F — most tender plants will be damaged without protection
4
Another perspective: You have only a 1 in 5 chance of making it past September 7 without a freezing night

These probabilities help you time your end-of-season harvests and know when to apply protective measures like row covers, cloches, or cold frames to extend your harvest.

In the Fall
Temperature 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
First 16° Oct 17 Oct 24 Oct 29 Nov 2 Nov 6 Nov 10 Nov 14 Nov 19 Nov 26
First 20° Sep 27 Oct 4 Oct 9 Oct 14 Oct 18 Oct 22 Oct 27 Nov 1 Nov 8
First 24° Sep 11 Sep 18 Sep 22 Sep 26 Sep 30 Oct 3 Oct 7 Oct 12 Oct 18
First 28° Aug 27 Sep 2 Sep 7 Sep 11 Sep 14 Sep 18 Sep 21 Sep 26 Oct 2
First 32° Aug 9 Aug 15 Aug 20 Aug 23 Aug 27 Aug 30 Sep 3 Sep 7 Sep 13
First 36° Jul 31 Aug 4 Aug 8 Aug 11 Aug 14 Aug 17 Aug 20 Aug 23 Aug 28

📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations

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Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.