Frost dates for 15677Rector, PA
The average last spring frost in Rector is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 1 · May 18 · Jun 3 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 10 | 129 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 5 · May 22 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 25 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Oct 4 · Oct 20 · Nov 5 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rector
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15677 is matched to the NOAA station Rector 3 Ssw, PA, 2.7 km away, at 1,330 ft elevation (25 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rector 3 Ssw, PA (used) | 1,330 ft | May 5 | Oct 6 |
| Laurel Mtn, PA | 2,760 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
| Laurel Summit, PA | 2,730 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
| Donegal 2 Nw, PA | 1,800 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Rector
- Laughlintown, PA 15655 · last May 5, first Oct 6
- Ligonier, PA 15658 · last May 5, first Oct 6
- Stahlstown, PA 15687 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Jones Mills, PA 15646 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Gray, PA 15544 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Youngstown, PA 15696 · last May 2, first Oct 14
- Donegal, PA 15628 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
- Acme, PA 15610 · last Apr 30, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rector, PA?
- For ZIP code 15677, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rector 3 Ssw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Rector, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15677?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.