Frost dates for 15841Force, PA
The average last spring frost in Force is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 8 · May 25 · Jun 7 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 19 | Oct 9 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Force
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 15841 is matched to the NOAA station Ridgway, PA, 25.3 km away, at 1,360 ft elevation (71 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgway, PA (used) | 1,360 ft | May 13 | Oct 11 |
| Clearfield Lawrence Ap, PA | 1,516 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Dubois Jefferson Co Ap, PA | 1,814 ft | May 6 | Oct 14 |
| Grampian 1E, PA | 1,510 ft | May 4 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Force
- Weedville, PA 15868 · last May 13, first Oct 11
- Byrnedale, PA 15827 · last May 13, first Oct 11
- Penfield, PA 15849 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Dagus Mines, PA 15831 · last May 14, first Oct 6
- Kersey, PA 15846 · last May 14, first Oct 6
- Brandy Camp, PA 15822 · last May 13, first Oct 11
- Brockport, PA 15823 · last May 6, first Oct 14
- Benezett, PA 15821 · last May 14, first Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Force, PA?
- For ZIP code 15841, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ridgway, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Force, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 15841?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.