Frost dates for 15834Emporium, PA
The average last spring frost in Emporium is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 2 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 23 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 27 · May 13 | Oct 13 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 183 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Emporium
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15834 is matched to the NOAA station Emporium, PA, 2.5 km away, at 1,040 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emporium, PA (used) | 1,040 ft | May 7 | Oct 15 |
| Stevenson Dam, PA | 932 ft | May 10 | Oct 16 |
| Clermont 1 Nw, PA | 2,080 ft | May 15 | Oct 3 |
| Glen Hazel 2 Ne Dam, PA | 1,720 ft | May 14 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Emporium
- Driftwood, PA 15832 · last May 7, first Oct 15
- Austin, PA 16720 · last May 22, first Oct 1
- Sinnamahoning, PA 15861 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Benezett, PA 15821 · last May 14, first Oct 6
- Saint Marys, PA 15857 · last May 14, first Oct 6
- Crosby, PA 16724 · last May 15, first Oct 6
- Roulette, PA 16746 · last May 22, first Oct 1
- Byrnedale, PA 15827 · last May 13, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Emporium, PA?
- For ZIP code 15834, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Emporium, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Emporium, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15834?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.