Last frost date in Palo Alto, CA

Average last frost
February 1

In Palo Alto, the last spring frost comes around February 1 in an average year. Wait until March 4 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 7, which leaves 310 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 20 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 4
Average first frost
Dec 7
Frost-free season
310 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 4
Next 6 nights in Palo Alto

No frost in the next 6 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2253°
  2. FriOct 2348°
  3. SatOct 2451°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2652°
  6. TueOct 2751°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 1First frost Dec 7310 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND310 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Palo Alto, 3.3 miles from Palo Alto.

Planting calendar for Palo Alto

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 22–Mar 8
WatermelonFeb 15–Mar 1
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 22–Mar 8
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
PotatoesJan 4–Jan 18
OnionsDec 21–Jan 11
CarrotsJan 11–Feb 15
LettuceJan 18–Feb 8
BroccoliJan 4–Jan 18
BeetsJan 4–Feb 15
PeasDec 21–Jan 4
CabbageJan 4–Jan 18
RadishesDec 28–Feb 8
Brussels sproutsJan 18–Feb 1
SpinachDec 21–Jan 11
CilantroJan 18–Feb 8
KaleJan 4–Jan 18
Collard greensJan 4–Jan 18
TurnipsJan 4–Jan 18
DillFeb 1–Feb 15
CeleryFeb 8–Feb 15
CauliflowerJan 18–Feb 1
LeeksJan 18–Feb 1
Swiss chardJan 18–Feb 15
ParsleyJan 18–Feb 8
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 4–Jan 18
AsparagusJan 4–Jan 18

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FDec 28Feb 1Mar 4Nov 20Dec 7Jan 6
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 15Jan 4Feb 17Dec 3Dec 22Jan 25

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 Palo Alto (USC00046646) sits 3.3 miles from the center of Palo Alto at 25 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 Palo Alto, CA?

The average last frost date in Palo Alto is February 1, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 4.

When is the first frost in Palo Alto?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 7. One year in ten it arrives before November 20.

How long is the growing season in Palo Alto?

About 310 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Palo Alto?

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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