Frost dates for 16401Albion, PA
The average last spring frost in Albion is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 20 · Jun 1 | Sep 17 · Oct 2 · Oct 18 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 8 · May 23 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 2 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 26 · May 14 | Oct 13 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Albion
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16401 is matched to the NOAA station Springboro 3 Wnw, PA, 12.9 km away, at 1,005 ft elevation (94 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springboro 3 Wnw, PA (used) | 1,005 ft | May 8 | Oct 16 |
| Erie Intl Ap, PA | 730 ft | Apr 26 | Nov 4 |
| Linesville 1 S, PA | 1,030 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 23 |
| Port Meadville Ap, PA | 1,400 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Albion
- Cranesville, PA 16410 · last May 8, first Oct 16
- Albion, PA 16475 · last May 8, first Oct 16
- Girard, PA 16417 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
- Springboro, PA 16435 · last May 8, first Oct 16
- East Springfield, PA 16411 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
- West Springfield, PA 16443 · last May 8, first Oct 16
- Lake City, PA 16423 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
- Edinboro, PA 16412 · last May 8, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albion, PA?
- For ZIP code 16401, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springboro 3 Wnw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Albion, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. 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 16401?
- 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.