Frost Dates: First and last frost dates for Tahoe City, 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 July 18, you have a 90% chance of being frost-free — this is your "safe date" for planting tender crops
  • Around July 6, there's a 50/50 chance of frost — check weather forecasts carefully if planting now
  • Before June 27, 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 2 Apr 23 Apr 16 Apr 10 Apr 5 Mar 30 Mar 25 Mar 18 Mar 8
Last 20° May 11 May 3 Apr 28 Apr 23 Apr 18 Apr 13 Apr 8 Apr 3 Mar 26
Last 24° Jun 1 May 23 May 17 May 12 May 7 May 2 Apr 27 Apr 21 Apr 13
Last 28° Jun 16 Jun 9 Jun 5 Jun 1 May 28 May 24 May 20 May 16 May 9
Last 32° Jul 7 Jun 30 Jun 26 Jun 22 Jun 18 Jun 14 Jun 10 Jun 6 May 30
Last 36° Jul 18 Jul 14 Jul 11 Jul 8 Jul 6 Jul 3 Jun 30 Jun 27 Jun 23

ℹ️ How to read these charts for the fall

As summer ends in Tahoe City, 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 September 4, there's a 20% chance of 32°F — start monitoring forecasts and have plant covers ready
2
Decision time: By September 19, there's a 50% chance of frost — harvest tomatoes, peppers, and other tender crops or prepare protection
3
Last chance: By October 3, 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 October 3 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° Nov 6 Nov 12 Nov 16 Nov 20 Nov 23 Nov 26 Nov 30 Dec 4 Dec 10
First 20° Oct 19 Oct 26 Oct 31 Nov 4 Nov 8 Nov 12 Nov 16 Nov 21 Nov 28
First 24° Oct 11 Oct 17 Oct 21 Oct 24 Oct 28 Oct 31 Nov 3 Nov 7 Nov 13
First 28° Sep 19 Sep 26 Oct 1 Oct 5 Oct 9 Oct 13 Oct 17 Oct 22 Oct 29
First 32° Aug 27 Sep 4 Sep 9 Sep 14 Sep 19 Sep 23 Sep 28 Oct 3 Oct 11
First 36° Aug 10 Aug 16 Aug 20 Aug 24 Aug 27 Aug 30 Sep 2 Sep 6 Sep 12

📍 Frost Dates for other nearby locations

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