Last frost date in Sierra Vista, AZ

Average last frost
April 5

The average last frost in Sierra Vista is April 5. By April 21 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 9, which leaves 216 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 23 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 21
Average first frost
Nov 9
Frost-free season
216 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 15
Next 6 nights in Sierra Vista

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2349°
  3. SatOct 2448°
  4. SunOct 2550°
  5. MonOct 2651°
  6. TueOct 2752°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 5First frost Nov 9216 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND216 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Sierra Vista, 2.8 miles from Sierra Vista.

Planting calendar for Sierra Vista

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 12–Apr 26
PumpkinsApr 19–May 3
SunflowersApr 5–Apr 26
CucumbersApr 19–Apr 26
CornApr 12–Apr 26
Sweet potatoesApr 26–May 10
WatermelonApr 19–May 3
Green beansApr 12–May 3
ZucchiniApr 12–Apr 26
OkraApr 26–May 10
PeppersApr 19–May 3
BasilApr 12–Apr 26
Butternut squashApr 12–Apr 26
CantaloupeApr 19–May 3
EggplantApr 19–May 3
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 8–Mar 22
OnionsFeb 22–Mar 15
CarrotsMar 15–Apr 19
LettuceMar 22–Apr 12
BroccoliMar 8–Mar 22
BeetsMar 8–Apr 19
PeasFeb 22–Mar 8
CabbageMar 8–Mar 22
RadishesMar 1–Apr 12
Brussels sproutsMar 22–Apr 5
SpinachFeb 22–Mar 15
CilantroMar 22–Apr 12
KaleMar 8–Mar 22
Collard greensMar 8–Mar 22
TurnipsMar 8–Mar 22
DillApr 5–Apr 19
CeleryApr 12–Apr 19
CauliflowerMar 22–Apr 5
LeeksMar 22–Apr 5
Swiss chardMar 22–Apr 19
ParsleyMar 22–Apr 12
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 26–Nov 30
GarlicOct 19–Nov 23
Daffodil bulbsOct 12–Nov 23
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 8–Mar 22
AsparagusMar 8–Mar 22

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 15Apr 5Apr 21Oct 23Nov 9Nov 23
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 21Mar 15Apr 5Nov 4Nov 21Dec 5

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 Sierra Vista (USC00027880) sits 2.8 miles from the center of Sierra Vista at 4,606 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 Sierra Vista, AZ?

The average last frost date in Sierra Vista is April 5, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 21.

When is the first frost in Sierra Vista?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 9. One year in ten it arrives before October 23.

How long is the growing season in Sierra Vista?

About 216 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Sierra Vista?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 12 to April 26. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Arizona

All 30 cities in Arizona