Frost dates for 16538Erie, PA
The average last spring frost in Erie is April 26 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 23 · May 7 · May 21 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 6 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 26 · May 13 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 11 · Apr 25 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 3 | 219 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Erie
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 | Mar 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16538 is matched to the NOAA station Erie Intl Ap, PA, 9.7 km away, at 730 ft elevation (77 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie Intl Ap, PA (used) | 730 ft | Apr 26 | Nov 4 |
| Union City Filtration Plant, PA | 1,400 ft | May 7 | Oct 10 |
| Springboro 3 Wnw, PA | 1,005 ft | May 8 | Oct 16 |
| Westfield 2 Sse, NY | 707 ft | Apr 21 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Erie
- Erie, PA 16512 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
- Harborcreek, PA 16421 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
- Mc Kean, PA 16426 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
- Fairview, PA 16415 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
- Waterford, PA 16441 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- North East, PA 16428 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
- Wattsburg, PA 16442 · last May 7, first Oct 10
- Lake City, PA 16423 · last Apr 26, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Erie, PA?
- For ZIP code 16538, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Erie Intl Ap, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Erie, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16538?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.