Last frost date in Cornelius, NC

Average last frost
April 1

The average last frost in Cornelius is April 1. By April 16 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 2, which leaves 215 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 16
Average first frost
Nov 2
Frost-free season
215 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 20
Next 7 nights in Cornelius

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2344°
  3. SatOct 2443°
  4. SunOct 2544°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 1First frost Nov 2215 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND215 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Concord, 17.3 miles from Cornelius.

Planting calendar for Cornelius

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 8–Apr 22
PumpkinsApr 15–Apr 29
SunflowersApr 1–Apr 22
CucumbersApr 15–Apr 22
CornApr 8–Apr 22
Sweet potatoesApr 22–May 6
WatermelonApr 15–Apr 29
Green beansApr 8–Apr 29
ZucchiniApr 8–Apr 22
OkraApr 22–May 6
PeppersApr 15–Apr 29
BasilApr 8–Apr 22
Butternut squashApr 8–Apr 22
CantaloupeApr 15–Apr 29
EggplantApr 15–Apr 29
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 4–Mar 18
OnionsFeb 18–Mar 11
CarrotsMar 11–Apr 15
LettuceMar 18–Apr 8
BroccoliMar 4–Mar 18
BeetsMar 4–Apr 15
PeasFeb 18–Mar 4
CabbageMar 4–Mar 18
RadishesFeb 25–Apr 8
Brussels sproutsMar 18–Apr 1
SpinachFeb 18–Mar 11
CilantroMar 18–Apr 8
KaleMar 4–Mar 18
Collard greensMar 4–Mar 18
TurnipsMar 4–Mar 18
DillApr 1–Apr 15
CeleryApr 8–Apr 15
CauliflowerMar 18–Apr 1
LeeksMar 18–Apr 1
Swiss chardMar 18–Apr 15
ParsleyMar 18–Apr 8
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 19–Nov 23
GarlicOct 12–Nov 16
Daffodil bulbsOct 5–Nov 16
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 4–Mar 18
AsparagusMar 4–Mar 18

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 16Apr 1Apr 16Oct 21Nov 2Nov 15
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 28Mar 20Apr 5Nov 1Nov 13Dec 1

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 Concord (USC00311975) sits 17.3 miles from the center of Cornelius at 700 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 Cornelius, NC?

The average last frost date in Cornelius is April 1, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 16.

When is the first frost in Cornelius?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 2. One year in ten it arrives before October 21.

How long is the growing season in Cornelius?

About 215 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Cornelius?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 8 to April 22. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in North Carolina

All 52 cities in North Carolina