Frost dates for 16701Bradford, PA
The average last spring frost in Bradford is May 18 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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 14 · May 29 · Jun 11 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 118 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 18 · May 31 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 23 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Nov 2 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bradford
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 17 – Jun 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jul 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – May 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16701 is matched to the NOAA station Bradford 4Sw Rsch 5, PA, 8 km away, at 1,660 ft elevation (200 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford 4Sw Rsch 5, PA (used) | 1,660 ft | May 18 | Oct 4 |
| Bradford Rgnl Ap, PA | 2,117 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
| Allegany Sp, NY | 1,500 ft | May 12 | Oct 9 |
| Olean, NY | 1,420 ft | May 7 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Bradford
- Custer City, PA 16725 · last May 18, first Oct 4
- Derrick City, PA 16727 · last May 18, first Oct 4
- Rew, PA 16744 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Gifford, PA 16732 · last May 18, first Oct 1
- Limestone, NY 14753 · last May 12, first Oct 9
- Duke Center, PA 16729 · last May 18, first Oct 4
- Rixford, PA 16745 · last May 18, first Oct 4
- Lewis Run, PA 16738 · last May 18, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bradford, PA?
- For ZIP code 16701, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bradford 4Sw Rsch 5, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Bradford, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16701?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.