Last frost date in Clearwater, FL

Average last frost
January 17

Expect the last frost in Clearwater around January 17. Frost after February 6 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about January 14, which leaves 365 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 27 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Feb 6
Average first frost
Jan 14
Frost-free season
365 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
rare
Next 7 nights in Clearwater

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2261°
  2. FriOct 2363°
  3. SatOct 2466°
  4. SunOct 2567°
  5. MonOct 2665°
  6. TueOct 2765°
  7. WedOct 2866°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Jan 17First frost Jan 14365 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND365 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at St Petersburg International Airport, 7.0 miles from Clearwater.

Planting calendar for Clearwater

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Florida.

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 20–Jan 3
OnionsDec 6–Dec 27
CarrotsDec 27–Jan 31
LettuceJan 3–Jan 24
BroccoliDec 20–Jan 3
BeetsDec 20–Jan 31
PeasDec 6–Dec 20
CabbageDec 20–Jan 3
RadishesDec 13–Jan 24
Brussels sproutsJan 3–Jan 17
SpinachDec 6–Dec 27
CilantroJan 3–Jan 24
KaleDec 20–Jan 3
Collard greensDec 20–Jan 3
TurnipsDec 20–Jan 3
DillJan 17–Jan 31
CeleryJan 24–Jan 31
CauliflowerJan 3–Jan 17
LeeksJan 3–Jan 17
Swiss chardJan 3–Jan 31
ParsleyJan 3–Jan 24
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesDec 20–Jan 3
AsparagusDec 20–Jan 3

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 1Jan 17Feb 6Dec 27Jan 14Feb 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 St Petersburg International Airport (USW00012873) sits 7.0 miles from the center of Clearwater at 11 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 Clearwater, FL?

The average last frost date in Clearwater is January 17, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after February 6.

When is the first frost in Clearwater?

The first frost in fall usually comes around January 14. One year in ten it arrives before December 27.

How long is the growing season in Clearwater?

About 365 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Clearwater?

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

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