Last frost date in Cathedral City, CA

Average last frost
January 9

Expect the last frost in Cathedral City around January 9. Frost after January 29 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 9, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 23 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Jan 29
Average first frost
Jan 9
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 6 nights in Cathedral City

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2258°
  2. FriOct 2361°
  3. SatOct 2463°
  4. SunOct 2564°
  5. MonOct 2664°
  6. TueOct 2764°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 9First frost Jan 9365 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND365 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Palm Springs Regional Airport, 2.5 miles from Cathedral City.

Planting calendar for Cathedral City

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 12–Dec 26
OnionsNov 28–Dec 19
CarrotsDec 19–Jan 23
LettuceDec 26–Jan 16
BroccoliDec 12–Dec 26
BeetsDec 12–Jan 23
PeasNov 28–Dec 12
CabbageDec 12–Dec 26
RadishesDec 5–Jan 16
Brussels sproutsDec 26–Jan 9
SpinachNov 28–Dec 19
CilantroDec 26–Jan 16
KaleDec 12–Dec 26
Collard greensDec 12–Dec 26
TurnipsDec 12–Dec 26
DillJan 9–Jan 23
CeleryJan 16–Jan 23
CauliflowerDec 26–Jan 9
LeeksDec 26–Jan 9
Swiss chardDec 26–Jan 23
ParsleyDec 26–Jan 16
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 26–Jan 30
GarlicDec 19–Jan 23
Daffodil bulbsDec 12–Jan 23
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 12–Dec 26
AsparagusDec 12–Dec 26

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 29Jan 9Jan 29Dec 23Jan 9Jan 29

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 Palm Springs Regional Airport (USW00093138) sits 2.5 miles from the center of Cathedral City at 421 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 Cathedral City, CA?

The average last frost date in Cathedral City is January 9, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after January 29.

When is the first frost in Cathedral City?

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

How long is the growing season in Cathedral City?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Cathedral City?

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

Nearby in California

All 348 cities in California