Last frost date in Opelika, AL

Average last frost
March 29

The average last frost in Opelika is March 29. By April 15 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 5, which leaves 223 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 22 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 15
Average first frost
Nov 5
Frost-free season
223 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 13
Next 7 nights in Opelika

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2249°
  2. FriOct 2346°
  3. SatOct 2447°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2749°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 29First frost Nov 5223 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND223 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Opelika, 4.1 miles from Opelika.

Planting calendar for Opelika

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Alabama.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 5–Apr 19
PumpkinsApr 12–Apr 26
SunflowersMar 29–Apr 19
CucumbersApr 12–Apr 19
CornApr 5–Apr 19
Sweet potatoesApr 19–May 3
WatermelonApr 12–Apr 26
Green beansApr 5–Apr 26
ZucchiniApr 5–Apr 19
OkraApr 19–May 3
PeppersApr 12–Apr 26
BasilApr 5–Apr 19
Butternut squashApr 5–Apr 19
CantaloupeApr 12–Apr 26
EggplantApr 12–Apr 26
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 1–Mar 15
OnionsFeb 15–Mar 8
CarrotsMar 8–Apr 12
LettuceMar 15–Apr 5
BroccoliMar 1–Mar 15
BeetsMar 1–Apr 12
PeasFeb 15–Mar 1
CabbageMar 1–Mar 15
RadishesFeb 22–Apr 5
Brussels sproutsMar 15–Mar 29
SpinachFeb 15–Mar 8
CilantroMar 15–Apr 5
KaleMar 1–Mar 15
Collard greensMar 1–Mar 15
TurnipsMar 1–Mar 15
DillMar 29–Apr 12
CeleryApr 5–Apr 12
CauliflowerMar 15–Mar 29
LeeksMar 15–Mar 29
Swiss chardMar 15–Apr 12
ParsleyMar 15–Apr 5
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 22–Nov 26
GarlicOct 15–Nov 19
Daffodil bulbsOct 8–Nov 19
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 1–Mar 15
AsparagusMar 1–Mar 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 6Mar 29Apr 15Oct 22Nov 5Nov 22
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 19Mar 13Apr 1Nov 1Nov 18Dec 7

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Opelika (USC00016129) sits 4.1 miles from the center of Opelika at 640 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Opelika, AL?

The average last frost date in Opelika is March 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 15.

When is the first frost in Opelika?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 5. One year in ten it arrives before October 22.

How long is the growing season in Opelika?

About 223 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Opelika?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 5 to April 19. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Alabama

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