Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for North Fork Rs, 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 June 9, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
- Around May 20, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
- Before May 7, 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° | Jan 30 | Jan 10 | Dec 20 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Last 20° | Mar 20 | Mar 3 | Feb 19 | Feb 8 | Jan 29 | Jan 18 | Jan 5 | Dec 16 | -- |
| Last 24° | Apr 11 | Mar 28 | Mar 18 | Mar 10 | Mar 2 | Feb 22 | Feb 13 | Feb 3 | Jan 20 |
| Last 28° | May 8 | Apr 27 | Apr 19 | Apr 12 | Apr 6 | Mar 31 | Mar 24 | Mar 17 | Mar 6 |
| Last 32° | May 28 | May 19 | May 13 | May 8 | May 2 | Apr 27 | Apr 22 | Apr 15 | Apr 7 |
| Last 36° | Jun 9 | Jun 2 | May 28 | May 24 | May 20 | May 16 | May 12 | May 7 | Apr 30 |
ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall
As summer ends in North Fork Rs, 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:
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 7 | Dec 24 | Jan 12 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| First 20° | Nov 17 | Dec 1 | Dec 12 | Dec 22 | Dec 31 | Jan 11 | Jan 24 | Feb 16 | -- |
| First 24° | Nov 7 | Nov 16 | Nov 22 | Nov 28 | Dec 3 | Dec 8 | Dec 13 | Dec 20 | Dec 29 |
| First 28° | Oct 29 | Nov 5 | Nov 9 | Nov 13 | Nov 16 | Nov 20 | Nov 23 | Nov 28 | Dec 4 |
| First 32° | Oct 16 | Oct 22 | Oct 26 | Oct 29 | Nov 2 | Nov 5 | Nov 9 | Nov 13 | Nov 19 |
| First 36° | Oct 5 | Oct 10 | Oct 14 | Oct 17 | Oct 21 | Oct 24 | Oct 27 | Oct 31 | Nov 5 |
📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations
- Auberry, CA 10.1 mi
- Friant Government Camp, CA 13.3 mi
- So Entr Yosemite Np, CA 23.1 mi
- Fresno Yosemite Int'l, CA 27.9 mi
- Huntington Lake, CA 28.8 mi
- Madera, CA 31.9 mi
- Yosemite Park Hq, CA 40.0 mi
- Balch Pwr House, CA 41.9 mi
- Grant Grove, CA 55.3 mi
- Hetch Hetchy, CA 55.5 mi
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Data is provided by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.