Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for Morehead City, NC
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 April 26, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
- Around April 6, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
- Before March 25, 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.
| Temperature | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last 16° | Feb 19 | Feb 11 | Feb 4 | Jan 29 | Jan 22 | Jan 14 | Dec 31 | -- | -- |
| Last 20° | Mar 3 | Feb 23 | Feb 17 | Feb 12 | Feb 7 | Feb 3 | Jan 28 | Jan 21 | Jan 9 |
| Last 24° | Mar 12 | Mar 6 | Mar 1 | Feb 25 | Feb 21 | Feb 17 | Feb 13 | Feb 8 | Feb 1 |
| Last 28° | Apr 5 | Mar 29 | Mar 24 | Mar 19 | Mar 15 | Mar 11 | Mar 7 | Mar 2 | Feb 23 |
| Last 32° | Apr 16 | Apr 10 | Apr 5 | Apr 1 | Mar 28 | Mar 24 | Mar 20 | Mar 16 | Mar 9 |
| Last 36° | Apr 26 | Apr 19 | Apr 14 | Apr 10 | Apr 6 | Apr 3 | Mar 29 | Mar 25 | Mar 18 |
ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall
As summer ends in Morehead City, NC, 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:
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.
| Temperature | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 16° | Dec 26 | Jan 5 | Jan 13 | Jan 21 | Jan 29 | Feb 8 | -- | -- | -- |
| First 20° | Dec 7 | Dec 17 | Dec 25 | Dec 31 | Jan 6 | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Jan 31 | -- |
| First 24° | Nov 22 | Nov 30 | Dec 6 | Dec 11 | Dec 16 | Dec 21 | Dec 26 | Jan 1 | Jan 10 |
| First 28° | Nov 12 | Nov 18 | Nov 23 | Nov 28 | Dec 2 | Dec 6 | Dec 10 | Dec 15 | Dec 22 |
| First 32° | Nov 1 | Nov 6 | Nov 9 | Nov 12 | Nov 15 | Nov 18 | Nov 21 | Nov 24 | Nov 29 |
| First 36° | Oct 18 | Oct 24 | Oct 29 | Nov 1 | Nov 5 | Nov 8 | Nov 12 | Nov 16 | Nov 22 |
📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations
- Bayboro, NC 28.1 mi
- New Bern - Asos, NC 31.1 mi
- Cedar Island, NC 35.9 mi
- Hofmann Forest, NC 38.8 mi
- Belhaven, NC 59.5 mi
- New Holland, NC 62.3 mi
- Kinston, NC 63.6 mi
- Kinston Ag Rsch, NC 69.0 mi
- Greenville, NC 77.2 mi
- Hatteras, NC 79.2 mi
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Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.