Last frost date in Alameda, CA

Average last frost
January 7

Expect the last frost in Alameda around January 7. Frost after February 8 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 23, which leaves 356 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 30 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 8
Average first frost
Dec 23
Frost-free season
356 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Dec 30
Next 6 nights in Alameda

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2256°
  2. FriOct 2353°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2556°
  5. MonOct 2655°
  6. TueOct 2756°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 7First frost Dec 23356 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND356 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Oakland Metro International Airport, 2.6 miles from Alameda.

Planting calendar for Alameda

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 15–Mar 1
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 15–Mar 1
PeppersFeb 15–Mar 1
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 15–Mar 1
EggplantFeb 15–Mar 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesDec 10–Dec 24
OnionsNov 26–Dec 17
CarrotsDec 17–Jan 21
LettuceDec 24–Jan 14
BroccoliDec 10–Dec 24
BeetsDec 10–Jan 21
PeasNov 26–Dec 10
CabbageDec 10–Dec 24
RadishesDec 3–Jan 14
Brussels sproutsDec 24–Jan 7
SpinachNov 26–Dec 17
CilantroDec 24–Jan 14
KaleDec 10–Dec 24
Collard greensDec 10–Dec 24
TurnipsDec 10–Dec 24
DillJan 7–Jan 21
CeleryJan 14–Jan 21
CauliflowerDec 24–Jan 7
LeeksDec 24–Jan 7
Swiss chardDec 24–Jan 21
ParsleyDec 24–Jan 14
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 10–Dec 24
AsparagusDec 10–Dec 24

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 13Jan 7Feb 8Nov 30Dec 23Jan 24
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 9Dec 30Jan 15Dec 6Dec 28Jan 12

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 Oakland Metro International Airport (USW00023230) sits 2.6 miles from the center of Alameda at 6 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 Alameda, CA?

The average last frost date in Alameda is January 7, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 8.

When is the first frost in Alameda?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 23. One year in ten it arrives before November 30.

How long is the growing season in Alameda?

About 356 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Alameda?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

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