Last frost date in Eureka, CA

Average last frost
February 22

In Eureka, the last spring frost comes around February 22 in an average year. Wait until March 23 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 7, which leaves 293 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 15 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 23
Average first frost
Dec 7
Frost-free season
293 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 3
Next 6 nights in Eureka

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2246°
  2. FriOct 2341°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2745°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 22First frost Dec 7293 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND293 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Eureka Wfo Woodley Island, 0.9 miles from Eureka.

Planting calendar for Eureka

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
TomatoesMar 1–Mar 15
PumpkinsMar 8–Mar 22
SunflowersFeb 22–Mar 15
CucumbersMar 8–Mar 15
CornMar 1–Mar 15
Sweet potatoesMar 15–Mar 29
WatermelonMar 8–Mar 22
Green beansMar 1–Mar 22
ZucchiniMar 1–Mar 15
OkraMar 15–Mar 29
PeppersMar 8–Mar 22
BasilMar 1–Mar 15
Butternut squashMar 1–Mar 15
CantaloupeMar 8–Mar 22
EggplantMar 8–Mar 22
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 25–Feb 8
OnionsJan 11–Feb 1
CarrotsFeb 1–Mar 8
LettuceFeb 8–Mar 1
BroccoliJan 25–Feb 8
BeetsJan 25–Mar 8
PeasJan 11–Jan 25
CabbageJan 25–Feb 8
RadishesJan 18–Mar 1
Brussels sproutsFeb 8–Feb 22
SpinachJan 11–Feb 1
CilantroFeb 8–Mar 1
KaleJan 25–Feb 8
Collard greensJan 25–Feb 8
TurnipsJan 25–Feb 8
DillFeb 22–Mar 8
CeleryMar 1–Mar 8
CauliflowerFeb 8–Feb 22
LeeksFeb 8–Feb 22
Swiss chardFeb 8–Mar 8
ParsleyFeb 8–Mar 1
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 25–Feb 8
AsparagusJan 25–Feb 8

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 31Feb 22Mar 23Nov 15Dec 7Jan 11
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 11Jan 3Feb 8Dec 3Dec 25Jan 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 Eureka Wfo Woodley Island (USW00024213) sits 0.9 miles from the center of Eureka at 20 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 Eureka, CA?

The average last frost date in Eureka is February 22, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 23.

When is the first frost in Eureka?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 7. One year in ten it arrives before November 15.

How long is the growing season in Eureka?

About 293 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Eureka?

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

Nearby in California

All 348 cities in California