Frost dates for 12946Lake Placid, NY
The average last spring frost in Lake Placid is May 27 and the average first fall frost is September 22, giving a typical growing season of about 118 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 27
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 22
- Growing season
- 118 days
Safer after Jun 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 205 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) | May 24 · Jun 5 · Jun 29 | Aug 20 · Sep 8 · Sep 23 | 92 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 10 · May 27 · Jun 7 | Sep 8 · Sep 22 · Oct 4 | 118 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 20 | 143 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake Placid
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 | Apr 26 – Jul 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jun 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 13 – Jun 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Aug 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12946 is matched to the NOAA station Lake Placid 2 S, NY, 2.7 km away, at 1,888 ft elevation (100 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Placid 2 S, NY (used) | 1,888 ft | May 27 | Sep 22 |
| Ray Brook, NY | 1,620 ft | May 21 | Sep 24 |
| Saranac Rgnl Ap, NY | 1,663 ft | Jun 2 | Sep 9 |
| Tupper Lake Sunmount, NY | 1,680 ft | May 16 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Lake Placid
- Ray Brook, NY 12977 · last May 27, first Sep 22
- Saranac Lake, NY 12983 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
- Wilmington, NY 12997 · last May 27, first Sep 22
- Keene, NY 12942 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Bloomingdale, NY 12913 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
- Upper Jay, NY 12987 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Keene Valley, NY 12943 · last May 27, first Sep 22
- Vermontville, NY 12989 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Placid, NY?
- For ZIP code 12946, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lake Placid 2 S, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 7.
- When is the first frost in Lake Placid, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12946?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 118 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.