Last frost date in Palmdale, CA

Average last frost
March 10

Expect the last frost in Palmdale around March 10. Frost after April 11 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 19, which leaves 248 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 3 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 11
Average first frost
Nov 19
Frost-free season
248 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 13
Next 6 nights in Palmdale

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2245°
  2. FriOct 2345°
  3. SatOct 2447°
  4. SunOct 2548°
  5. MonOct 2647°
  6. TueOct 2748°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 10First frost Nov 19248 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND248 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Palmdale, 0.7 miles from Palmdale.

Planting calendar for Palmdale

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 17–Mar 31
PumpkinsMar 24–Apr 7
SunflowersMar 10–Mar 31
CucumbersMar 24–Mar 31
CornMar 17–Mar 31
Sweet potatoesMar 31–Apr 14
WatermelonMar 24–Apr 7
Green beansMar 17–Apr 7
ZucchiniMar 17–Mar 31
OkraMar 31–Apr 14
PeppersMar 24–Apr 7
BasilMar 17–Mar 31
Butternut squashMar 17–Mar 31
CantaloupeMar 24–Apr 7
EggplantMar 24–Apr 7
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 10–Feb 24
OnionsJan 27–Feb 17
CarrotsFeb 17–Mar 24
LettuceFeb 24–Mar 17
BroccoliFeb 10–Feb 24
BeetsFeb 10–Mar 24
PeasJan 27–Feb 10
CabbageFeb 10–Feb 24
RadishesFeb 3–Mar 17
Brussels sproutsFeb 24–Mar 10
SpinachJan 27–Feb 17
CilantroFeb 24–Mar 17
KaleFeb 10–Feb 24
Collard greensFeb 10–Feb 24
TurnipsFeb 10–Feb 24
DillMar 10–Mar 24
CeleryMar 17–Mar 24
CauliflowerFeb 24–Mar 10
LeeksFeb 24–Mar 10
Swiss chardFeb 24–Mar 24
ParsleyFeb 24–Mar 17
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 5–Dec 10
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 10–Feb 24
AsparagusFeb 10–Feb 24

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 12Mar 10Apr 11Nov 3Nov 19Dec 4
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 14Feb 13Mar 17Nov 15Dec 1Dec 23

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 Palmdale (USC00046624) sits 0.7 miles from the center of Palmdale at 2,612 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 Palmdale, CA?

The average last frost date in Palmdale is March 10, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 11.

When is the first frost in Palmdale?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 19. One year in ten it arrives before November 3.

How long is the growing season in Palmdale?

About 248 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Palmdale?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 17 to March 31. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in California

All 348 cities in California