Frost dates for 16699Cresson, PA
The average last spring frost in Cresson is May 17 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 195 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 13 · May 31 · Jun 14 | Sep 5 · Sep 22 · Oct 3 | 112 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 17 · Jun 1 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 4 · May 22 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 30 | 160 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cresson
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16699 is matched to the NOAA station Ebensburg Sewage Plt, PA, 3 km away, at 1,940 ft elevation (157 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ebensburg Sewage Plt, PA (used) | 1,940 ft | May 17 | Oct 2 |
| Altoona 3 W, PA | 1,320 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 21 |
| Johnstown Cambria Co Ap, PA | 2,284 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 21 |
| Prince Gallitzin Sp, PA | 1,520 ft | May 10 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Cresson
- Ebensburg, PA 15931 · last May 17, first Oct 2
- Revloc, PA 15948 · last May 17, first Oct 2
- Loretto, PA 15940 · last May 17, first Oct 2
- Colver, PA 15927 · last May 17, first Oct 2
- Lilly, PA 15938 · last May 17, first Oct 2
- Cassandra, PA 15925 · last May 17, first Oct 2
- Cresson, PA 16630 · last May 17, first Oct 2
- Wilmore, PA 15962 · last May 17, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cresson, PA?
- For ZIP code 16699, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ebensburg Sewage Plt, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Cresson, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16699?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.