Last frost date in El Centro, CA

Average last frost
January 3

The average last frost in El Centro is January 3. By February 4 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 27, which leaves 363 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 9 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 4
Average first frost
Dec 27
Frost-free season
363 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 1
Next 6 nights in El Centro

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2259°
  2. FriOct 2360°
  3. SatOct 2461°
  4. SunOct 2561°
  5. MonOct 2661°
  6. TueOct 2761°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 3First frost Dec 27363 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND363 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at El Centro 2 SSW, 1.3 miles from El Centro.

Planting calendar for El Centro

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 6–Dec 20
OnionsNov 22–Dec 13
CarrotsDec 13–Jan 17
LettuceDec 20–Jan 10
BroccoliDec 6–Dec 20
BeetsDec 6–Jan 17
PeasNov 22–Dec 6
CabbageDec 6–Dec 20
RadishesNov 29–Jan 10
Brussels sproutsDec 20–Jan 3
SpinachNov 22–Dec 13
CilantroDec 20–Jan 10
KaleDec 6–Dec 20
Collard greensDec 6–Dec 20
TurnipsDec 6–Dec 20
DillJan 3–Jan 17
CeleryJan 10–Jan 17
CauliflowerDec 20–Jan 3
LeeksDec 20–Jan 3
Swiss chardDec 20–Jan 17
ParsleyDec 20–Jan 10
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 6–Dec 20
AsparagusDec 6–Dec 20

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 15Jan 3Feb 4Dec 9Dec 27Jan 26
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 15Jan 1Feb 4Dec 15Dec 31Feb 4

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 El Centro 2 SSW (USC00042713) sits 1.3 miles from the center of El Centro at -30 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 El Centro, CA?

The average last frost date in El Centro is January 3, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 4.

When is the first frost in El Centro?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 27. One year in ten it arrives before December 9.

How long is the growing season in El Centro?

About 363 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in El Centro?

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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