Frost dates for 12482South Cairo, NY
The average last spring frost in South Cairo is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 27 · May 10 · May 26 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Nov 1 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 9 · Oct 29 · Nov 12 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South Cairo
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12482 is matched to the NOAA station Cairo 3 Nw, NY, 8.4 km away, at 490 ft elevation (228 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo 3 Nw, NY (used) | 490 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 14 |
| Hudson Correctional Facility, NY | 30 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 18 |
| E Jewett, NY | 1,991 ft | May 20 | Sep 27 |
| Platte Clove, NY | 2,032 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near South Cairo
- Leeds, NY 12451 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Catskill, NY 12414 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Cairo, NY 12413 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Round Top, NY 12473 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Earlton, NY 12058 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Purling, NY 12470 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
- Athens, NY 12015 · last Apr 25, first Oct 18
- Palenville, NY 12463 · last Apr 29, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South Cairo, NY?
- For ZIP code 12482, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cairo 3 Nw, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in South Cairo, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12482?
- 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.