Frost dates for 12196West Sand Lake, NY
The average last spring frost in West Sand Lake is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Oct 3 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · Apr 28 | Oct 11 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Sand Lake
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12196 is matched to the NOAA station Albany Ap, NY, 20 km away, at 312 ft elevation (200 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany Ap, NY (used) | 312 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Troy L&D, NY | 15 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Grafton, NY | 1,560 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Valatie 1 N, NY | 300 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near West Sand Lake
- Averill Park, NY 12018 · last May 10, first Oct 4
- Wynantskill, NY 12198 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Poestenkill, NY 12140 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- East Greenbush, NY 12061 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- East Schodack, NY 12063 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Rensselaer, NY 12144 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
- Sand Lake, NY 12153 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Troy, NY 12180 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Sand Lake, NY?
- For ZIP code 12196, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Albany Ap, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in West Sand Lake, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12196?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.