Frost dates for 16345Russell, PA
The average last spring frost in Russell is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 168 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 168 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 30 · May 15 · May 31 | Sep 28 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 22 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 168 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 11 | Oct 18 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Russell
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16345 is matched to the NOAA station Warren, PA, 11.2 km away, at 1,210 ft elevation (109 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren, PA (used) | 1,210 ft | May 4 | Oct 21 |
| Chandlers Valley 1Se, PA | 1,490 ft | May 22 | Sep 30 |
| Jamestown 4 Ene, NY | 1,250 ft | May 8 | Oct 13 |
| Bradford 4Sw Rsch 5, PA | 1,660 ft | May 18 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Russell
- Warren, PA 16366 · last May 4, first Oct 21
- Frewsburg, NY 14738 · last May 8, first Oct 13
- Chandlers Valley, PA 16312 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Sugar Grove, PA 16350 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Irvine, PA 16329 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Youngsville, PA 16371 · last May 4, first Oct 21
- Jamestown, NY 14701 · last May 8, first Oct 13
- Falconer, NY 14733 · last May 8, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Russell, PA?
- For ZIP code 16345, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Warren, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Russell, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16345?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 168 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.