Last frost date in Chapel Hill, NC

Average last frost
March 29

Expect the last frost in Chapel Hill around March 29. Frost after April 12 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 5, which leaves 222 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 23 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 12
Average first frost
Nov 5
Frost-free season
222 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 15
Next 7 nights in Chapel Hill

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2241°
  2. FriOct 2342°
  3. SatOct 2442°
  4. SunOct 2542°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2849°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 29First frost Nov 5222 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND222 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Chapel Hill Williams Airport, 1.3 miles from Chapel Hill.

Planting calendar for Chapel Hill

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 5–Apr 19
PumpkinsApr 12–Apr 26
SunflowersMar 29–Apr 19
CucumbersApr 12–Apr 19
CornApr 5–Apr 19
Sweet potatoesApr 19–May 3
WatermelonApr 12–Apr 26
Green beansApr 5–Apr 26
ZucchiniApr 5–Apr 19
OkraApr 19–May 3
PeppersApr 12–Apr 26
BasilApr 5–Apr 19
Butternut squashApr 5–Apr 19
CantaloupeApr 12–Apr 26
EggplantApr 12–Apr 26
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 1–Mar 15
OnionsFeb 15–Mar 8
CarrotsMar 8–Apr 12
LettuceMar 15–Apr 5
BroccoliMar 1–Mar 15
BeetsMar 1–Apr 12
PeasFeb 15–Mar 1
CabbageMar 1–Mar 15
RadishesFeb 22–Apr 5
Brussels sproutsMar 15–Mar 29
SpinachFeb 15–Mar 8
CilantroMar 15–Apr 5
KaleMar 1–Mar 15
Collard greensMar 1–Mar 15
TurnipsMar 1–Mar 15
DillMar 29–Apr 12
CeleryApr 5–Apr 12
CauliflowerMar 15–Mar 29
LeeksMar 15–Mar 29
Swiss chardMar 15–Apr 12
ParsleyMar 15–Apr 5
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 22–Nov 26
GarlicOct 15–Nov 19
Daffodil bulbsOct 8–Nov 19
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 1–Mar 15
AsparagusMar 1–Mar 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 11Mar 29Apr 12Oct 23Nov 5Nov 21
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 24Mar 15Apr 2Nov 2Nov 17Dec 10

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 Chapel Hill Williams Airport (USW00093785) sits 1.3 miles from the center of Chapel Hill at 512 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 Chapel Hill, NC?

The average last frost date in Chapel Hill is March 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 12.

When is the first frost in Chapel Hill?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 5. One year in ten it arrives before October 23.

How long is the growing season in Chapel Hill?

About 222 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Chapel Hill?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 5 to April 19. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Carolina

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