Frost dates for 16301Oil City, PA
The average last spring frost in Oil City is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 29 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 29 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 2 · May 20 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 21 · May 8 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 15 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oil City
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16301 is matched to the NOAA station Franklin, PA, 12.1 km away, at 1,015 ft elevation (304 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin, PA (used) | 1,015 ft | May 2 | Oct 23 |
| Tionesta 2 Se Lake, PA | 1,200 ft | May 1 | Oct 25 |
| Titusville Wtr Wks, PA | 1,220 ft | May 12 | Oct 10 |
| Clarion 3 Sw, PA | 1,040 ft | May 9 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Oil City
- Rouseville, PA 16344 · last May 2, first Oct 23
- Reno, PA 16343 · last May 2, first Oct 23
- Seneca, PA 16346 · last May 2, first Oct 23
- Franklin, PA 16323 · last May 2, first Oct 23
- Cranberry, PA 16319 · last May 1, first Oct 25
- Venus, PA 16364 · last May 1, first Oct 25
- Kennerdell, PA 16374 · last May 2, first Oct 23
- Cooperstown, PA 16317 · last May 2, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oil City, PA?
- For ZIP code 16301, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Franklin, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Oil City, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16301?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.