Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for South Lake Tahoe Ap, 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 4, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
  • Around July 22, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
  • Before July 13, 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° May 6 Apr 27 Apr 20 Apr 14 Apr 9 Apr 4 Mar 29 Mar 22 Mar 13
Last 20° May 11 May 5 Apr 30 Apr 27 Apr 23 Apr 20 Apr 16 Apr 12 Apr 6
Last 24° Jun 11 Jun 3 May 28 May 22 May 17 May 12 May 7 May 1 Apr 22
Last 28° Jul 5 Jun 28 Jun 23 Jun 19 Jun 15 Jun 11 Jun 7 Jun 2 May 27
Last 32° Jul 30 Jul 24 Jul 20 Jul 17 Jul 13 Jul 10 Jul 6 Jul 2 Jun 27
Last 36° Aug 4 Jul 31 Jul 27 Jul 25 Jul 22 Jul 19 Jul 17 Jul 13 Jul 9

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall

As summer ends in South Lake Tahoe Ap, 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 8, there's a 20% chance of 32°F — start monitoring forecasts and have plant covers ready
2
Decision time: By August 20, there's a 50% chance of frost — harvest tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops or prepare protection
3
Last chance: By September 2, 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 2 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 25 Oct 29 Nov 1 Nov 4 Nov 6 Nov 8 Nov 11 Nov 13 Nov 17
First 20° Oct 4 Oct 10 Oct 14 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 25 Oct 28 Nov 2 Nov 7
First 24° Sep 13 Sep 20 Sep 24 Sep 29 Oct 3 Oct 6 Oct 11 Oct 16 Oct 22
First 28° Aug 18 Aug 27 Sep 2 Sep 7 Sep 12 Sep 17 Sep 22 Sep 28 Oct 7
First 32° Aug 1 Aug 8 Aug 13 Aug 17 Aug 20 Aug 24 Aug 28 Sep 2 Sep 9
First 36° Jul 29 Aug 1 Aug 4 Aug 6 Aug 9 Aug 11 Aug 13 Aug 16 Aug 20

📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations

Or enter a new zipcode:

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