Frost dates for 12983Saranac Lake, NY
The average last spring frost in Saranac Lake is June 2 and the average first fall frost is September 9, giving a typical growing season of about 97 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 2
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 9
- Growing season
- 97 days
Safer after Jun 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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) | — | — | 63 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 20 · Jun 2 · Jun 19 | Aug 26 · Sep 9 · Sep 24 | 97 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 7 · May 21 · Jun 4 | Sep 7 · Sep 23 · Oct 7 | 123 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saranac 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 | May 2 – Jul 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 19 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – May 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Aug 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – May 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 10 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 30 – May 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jun 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 12983 is matched to the NOAA station Saranac Rgnl Ap, NY, 9 km away, at 1,663 ft elevation (128 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saranac Rgnl Ap, NY (used) | 1,663 ft | Jun 2 | Sep 9 |
| Ray Brook, NY | 1,620 ft | May 21 | Sep 24 |
| Lake Placid 2 S, NY | 1,888 ft | May 27 | Sep 22 |
| Tupper Lake Sunmount, NY | 1,680 ft | May 16 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Saranac Lake
- Ray Brook, NY 12977 · last May 27, first Sep 22
- Lake Clear, NY 12945 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
- Bloomingdale, NY 12913 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
- Gabriels, NY 12939 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
- Lake Placid, NY 12946 · last May 27, first Sep 22
- Rainbow Lake, NY 12976 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
- Vermontville, NY 12989 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
- Paul Smiths, NY 12970 · last Jun 2, first Sep 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saranac Lake, NY?
- For ZIP code 12983, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saranac Rgnl Ap, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 19.
- When is the first frost in Saranac Lake, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 12983?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 97 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.