Frost dates for 15560Shanksville, PA
The average last spring frost in Shanksville is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (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 22 · May 8 · May 24 | Sep 24 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 29 · May 17 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 5 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 17 · May 5 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shanksville
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 – Jul 1 |
| 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 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 1 |
| 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 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15560 is matched to the NOAA station Johnstown Cambria Co Ap, PA, 33.8 km away, at 2,284 ft elevation (73 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown Cambria Co Ap, PA (used) | 2,284 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 21 |
| Shawnee Sp, PA | 1,275 ft | May 4 | Oct 10 |
| Laurel Summit, PA | 2,730 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
| Meyersdale 2 Ssw, PA | 2,000 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Shanksville
- Friedens, PA 15541 · last Apr 29, first Oct 21
- Listie, PA 15549 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Kantner, PA 15548 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Central City, PA 15926 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Stoystown, PA 15563 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- Berlin, PA 15530 · last May 12, first Oct 5
- New Baltimore, PA 15553 · last May 4, first Oct 10
- Somerset, PA 15510 · last May 6, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shanksville, PA?
- For ZIP code 15560, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Johnstown Cambria Co Ap, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Shanksville, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15560?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.