Last frost date in Tempe, AZ

Average last frost
February 13

In Tempe, the last spring frost comes around February 13 in an average year. Wait until March 9 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 5, which leaves 298 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 18 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 9
Average first frost
Dec 5
Frost-free season
298 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 16
Next 6 nights in Tempe

No frost in the next 6 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2263°
  2. FriOct 2361°
  3. SatOct 2460°
  4. SunOct 2560°
  5. MonOct 2662°
  6. TueOct 2764°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 13First frost Dec 5298 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND298 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Tempe Asu, 2.6 miles from Tempe.

Planting calendar for Tempe

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
TomatoesFeb 20–Mar 6
PumpkinsFeb 27–Mar 13
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 27–Mar 6
CornFeb 20–Mar 6
Sweet potatoesMar 6–Mar 20
WatermelonFeb 27–Mar 13
Green beansFeb 20–Mar 13
ZucchiniFeb 20–Mar 6
OkraMar 6–Mar 20
PeppersFeb 27–Mar 13
BasilFeb 20–Mar 6
Butternut squashFeb 20–Mar 6
CantaloupeFeb 27–Mar 13
EggplantFeb 27–Mar 13
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 16–Jan 30
OnionsJan 2–Jan 23
CarrotsJan 23–Feb 27
LettuceJan 30–Feb 20
BroccoliJan 16–Jan 30
BeetsJan 16–Feb 27
PeasJan 2–Jan 16
CabbageJan 16–Jan 30
RadishesJan 9–Feb 20
Brussels sproutsJan 30–Feb 13
SpinachJan 2–Jan 23
CilantroJan 30–Feb 20
KaleJan 16–Jan 30
Collard greensJan 16–Jan 30
TurnipsJan 16–Jan 30
DillFeb 13–Feb 27
CeleryFeb 20–Feb 27
CauliflowerJan 30–Feb 13
LeeksJan 30–Feb 13
Swiss chardJan 30–Feb 27
ParsleyJan 30–Feb 20
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 16–Jan 30
AsparagusJan 16–Jan 30

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 12Feb 13Mar 9Nov 18Dec 5Dec 24
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 19Jan 16Feb 19Nov 27Dec 19Jan 19

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 Tempe Asu (USC00028499) sits 2.6 miles from the center of Tempe at 1,167 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 Tempe, AZ?

The average last frost date in Tempe is February 13, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 9.

When is the first frost in Tempe?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 5. One year in ten it arrives before November 18.

How long is the growing season in Tempe?

About 298 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Tempe?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 20 to March 6. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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