Last frost date in Rochester, NY

Average last frost
April 24

In Rochester, the last spring frost comes around April 24 in an average year. Wait until May 8 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 25, which leaves 181 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 8 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 8
Average first frost
Oct 25
Frost-free season
181 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 14
Next 7 nights in Rochester

Frost likely Fri night, low 32°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2240°
  2. FriOct 2332°frost
  3. SatOct 2438°
  4. SunOct 2545°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 24First frost Oct 25181 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND181 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Rochester Gtr International Airport, 4.8 miles from Rochester.

Planting calendar for Rochester

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 1–May 15
PumpkinsMay 8–May 22
SunflowersApr 24–May 15
CucumbersMay 8–May 15
CornMay 1–May 15
Sweet potatoesMay 15–May 29
WatermelonMay 8–May 22
Green beansMay 1–May 22
ZucchiniMay 1–May 15
OkraMay 15–May 29
PeppersMay 8–May 22
BasilMay 1–May 15
Butternut squashMay 1–May 15
CantaloupeMay 8–May 22
EggplantMay 8–May 22
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 27–Apr 10
OnionsMar 13–Apr 3
CarrotsApr 3–May 8
LettuceApr 10–May 1
BroccoliMar 27–Apr 10
BeetsMar 27–May 8
PeasMar 13–Mar 27
CabbageMar 27–Apr 10
RadishesMar 20–May 1
Brussels sproutsApr 10–Apr 24
SpinachMar 13–Apr 3
CilantroApr 10–May 1
KaleMar 27–Apr 10
Collard greensMar 27–Apr 10
TurnipsMar 27–Apr 10
DillApr 24–May 8
CeleryMay 1–May 8
CauliflowerApr 10–Apr 24
LeeksApr 10–Apr 24
Swiss chardApr 10–May 8
ParsleyApr 10–May 1
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 11–Nov 15
GarlicOct 4–Nov 8
Daffodil bulbsSep 27–Nov 8
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 27–Apr 10
AsparagusMar 27–Apr 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 12Apr 24May 8Oct 8Oct 25Nov 7
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 1Apr 14Apr 26Oct 25Nov 6Nov 21

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 Rochester Gtr International Airport (USW00014768) sits 4.8 miles from the center of Rochester at 533 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 Rochester, NY?

The average last frost date in Rochester is April 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 8.

When is the first frost in Rochester?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 25. One year in ten it arrives before October 8.

How long is the growing season in Rochester?

About 181 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Rochester?

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

Nearby in New York

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