Frost dates for 16255Sligo, PA
The average last spring frost in Sligo is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (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 4 · May 20 · Jun 2 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 9 · May 24 | Sep 30 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sligo
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16255 is matched to the NOAA station Clarion 3 Sw, PA, 9.5 km away, at 1,040 ft elevation (233 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarion 3 Sw, PA (used) | 1,040 ft | May 9 | Oct 11 |
| Putneyville 2 Se Dam, PA | 1,280 ft | May 10 | Oct 12 |
| Cooksburg 2 Nw, PA | 1,450 ft | May 13 | Oct 7 |
| Tionesta 2 Se Lake, PA | 1,200 ft | May 1 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Sligo
- Callensburg, PA 16213 · last May 9, first Oct 11
- Rimersburg, PA 16248 · last May 10, first Oct 12
- Curllsville, PA 16221 · last May 9, first Oct 11
- Limestone, PA 16234 · last May 9, first Oct 11
- Knox, PA 16232 · last May 9, first Oct 11
- Turkey City, PA 16058 · last May 9, first Oct 11
- Clarion, PA 16214 · last May 9, first Oct 11
- Shippenville, PA 16254 · last May 9, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sligo, PA?
- For ZIP code 16255, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clarion 3 Sw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Sligo, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16255?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.