Frost dates for 13218Syracuse, NY
The average last spring frost in Syracuse is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (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 26 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 21 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 2 · Oct 19 · Nov 4 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 16 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Syracuse
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 29 |
| 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 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| 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 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 13218 is matched to the NOAA station Syracuse Hancock Intl Ap, NY, 12.6 km away, at 413 ft elevation (335 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse Hancock Intl Ap, NY (used) | 413 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 19 |
| Brewerton Lock 23, NY | 377 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Auburn, NY | 770 ft | May 2 | Oct 18 |
| Tully Heiberg Forest, NY | 1,899 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Syracuse
- Liverpool, NY 13089 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Syracuse, NY 13217 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Camillus, NY 13031 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Nedrow, NY 13120 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Jamesville, NY 13078 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Warners, NY 13164 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
- Marcellus, NY 13108 · last May 2, first Oct 18
- East Syracuse, NY 13057 · last Apr 29, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Syracuse, NY?
- For ZIP code 13218, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Syracuse Hancock Intl Ap, NY weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Syracuse, NY?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 13218?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.