Frost dates for 16413Elgin, PA
The average last spring frost in Elgin is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 5 · May 20 · Jun 1 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 11 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 12 | Oct 6 · Oct 23 · Nov 10 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elgin
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16413 is matched to the NOAA station Union City Filtration Plant, PA, 9.7 km away, at 1,400 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union City Filtration Plant, PA (used) | 1,400 ft | May 7 | Oct 10 |
| Titusville Wtr Wks, PA | 1,220 ft | May 12 | Oct 10 |
| Chandlers Valley 1Se, PA | 1,490 ft | May 22 | Sep 30 |
| Erie Intl Ap, PA | 730 ft | Apr 26 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Elgin
- Corry, PA 16407 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Union City, PA 16438 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Spartansburg, PA 16434 · last May 12, first Oct 10
- Columbus, PA 16405 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Riceville, PA 16432 · last May 12, first Oct 10
- Wattsburg, PA 16442 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Clymer, NY 14724 · last May 22, first Sep 30
- Mill Village, PA 16427 · last May 7, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elgin, PA?
- For ZIP code 16413, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Union City Filtration Plant, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 24.
- When is the first frost in Elgin, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16413?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.