Last frost date in Erie, PA

Average last frost
April 26

Expect the last frost in Erie around April 26. Frost after May 13 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 4, which leaves 192 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 13
Average first frost
Nov 4
Frost-free season
192 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 11
Next 7 nights in Erie

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2339°
  3. SatOct 2441°
  4. SunOct 2548°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 26First frost Nov 4192 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND192 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Erie International Airport, 6.1 miles from Erie.

Planting calendar for Erie

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 3–May 17
PumpkinsMay 10–May 24
SunflowersApr 26–May 17
CucumbersMay 10–May 17
CornMay 3–May 17
Sweet potatoesMay 17–May 31
WatermelonMay 10–May 24
Green beansMay 3–May 24
ZucchiniMay 3–May 17
OkraMay 17–May 31
PeppersMay 10–May 24
BasilMay 3–May 17
Butternut squashMay 3–May 17
CantaloupeMay 10–May 24
EggplantMay 10–May 24
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 29–Apr 12
OnionsMar 15–Apr 5
CarrotsApr 5–May 10
LettuceApr 12–May 3
BroccoliMar 29–Apr 12
BeetsMar 29–May 10
PeasMar 15–Mar 29
CabbageMar 29–Apr 12
RadishesMar 22–May 3
Brussels sproutsApr 12–Apr 26
SpinachMar 15–Apr 5
CilantroApr 12–May 3
KaleMar 29–Apr 12
Collard greensMar 29–Apr 12
TurnipsMar 29–Apr 12
DillApr 26–May 10
CeleryMay 3–May 10
CauliflowerApr 12–Apr 26
LeeksApr 12–Apr 26
Swiss chardApr 12–May 10
ParsleyApr 12–May 3
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 21–Nov 25
GarlicOct 14–Nov 18
Daffodil bulbsOct 7–Nov 18
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 29–Apr 12
AsparagusMar 29–Apr 12

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 10Apr 26May 13Oct 21Nov 4Nov 17
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 31Apr 11Apr 25Nov 2Nov 16Dec 3

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 Erie International Airport (USW00014860) sits 6.1 miles from the center of Erie at 730 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 Erie, PA?

The average last frost date in Erie is April 26, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 13.

When is the first frost in Erie?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 4. One year in ten it arrives before October 21.

How long is the growing season in Erie?

About 192 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Erie?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 3 to May 17. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Pennsylvania

All 35 cities in Pennsylvania