Frost dates for 15557Rockwood, PA
The average last spring frost in Rockwood is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 146 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 146 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 7 · May 24 · Jun 6 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 125 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 12 · May 28 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 146 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 19 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Nov 1 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rockwood
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15557 is matched to the NOAA station Meyersdale 2 Ssw, PA, 21.4 km away, at 2,000 ft elevation (119 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meyersdale 2 Ssw, PA (used) | 2,000 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Hidden Valley, PA | 2,876 ft | May 2 | Oct 17 |
| Confluence 1 Sw Dam, PA | 1,490 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| Laurel Summit, PA | 2,730 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Rockwood
- Markleton, PA 15551 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Somerset, PA 15510 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Garrett, PA 15542 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Hidden Valley, PA 15502 · last May 2, first Oct 17
- Fort Hill, PA 15540 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Champion, PA 15622 · last May 2, first Oct 17
- Listie, PA 15549 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Ursina, PA 15485 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rockwood, PA?
- For ZIP code 15557, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Meyersdale 2 Ssw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Rockwood, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15557?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 146 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.