Last frost date in Syracuse, NY

Average last frost
April 29

The average last frost in Syracuse is April 29. By May 13 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 19, which leaves 173 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 2 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 13
Average first frost
Oct 19
Frost-free season
173 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 16
Next 7 nights in Syracuse

Frost likely Fri night, low 30°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2233°possible frost
  2. FriOct 2330°frost
  3. SatOct 2434°possible frost
  4. SunOct 2542°
  5. MonOct 2641°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 29First frost Oct 19173 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND173 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, 5.2 miles from Syracuse.

Planting calendar for Syracuse

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 6–May 20
PumpkinsMay 13–May 27
SunflowersApr 29–May 20
CucumbersMay 13–May 20
CornMay 6–May 20
Sweet potatoesMay 20–Jun 3
WatermelonMay 13–May 27
Green beansMay 6–May 27
ZucchiniMay 6–May 20
OkraMay 20–Jun 3
PeppersMay 13–May 27
BasilMay 6–May 20
Butternut squashMay 6–May 20
CantaloupeMay 13–May 27
EggplantMay 13–May 27
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 1–Apr 15
OnionsMar 18–Apr 8
CarrotsApr 8–May 13
LettuceApr 15–May 6
BroccoliApr 1–Apr 15
BeetsApr 1–May 13
PeasMar 18–Apr 1
CabbageApr 1–Apr 15
RadishesMar 25–May 6
Brussels sproutsApr 15–Apr 29
SpinachMar 18–Apr 8
CilantroApr 15–May 6
KaleApr 1–Apr 15
Collard greensApr 1–Apr 15
TurnipsApr 1–Apr 15
DillApr 29–May 13
CeleryMay 6–May 13
CauliflowerApr 15–Apr 29
LeeksApr 15–Apr 29
Swiss chardApr 15–May 13
ParsleyApr 15–May 6
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 5–Nov 9
GarlicSep 28–Nov 2
Daffodil bulbsSep 21–Nov 2
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 1–Apr 15
AsparagusApr 1–Apr 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 16Apr 29May 13Oct 2Oct 19Nov 4
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 4Apr 16Apr 30Oct 16Nov 2Nov 16

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 Syracuse Hancock International Airport (USW00014771) sits 5.2 miles from the center of Syracuse at 413 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 Syracuse, NY?

The average last frost date in Syracuse is April 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 13.

When is the first frost in Syracuse?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 19. One year in ten it arrives before October 2.

How long is the growing season in Syracuse?

About 173 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Syracuse?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 6 to May 20. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in New York

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