Frost dates for 16720Austin, PA
The average last spring frost in Austin is May 22 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 130 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 130 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 20 · Jun 3 · Jun 28 | Sep 2 · Sep 21 · Oct 3 | 107 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 22 · Jun 6 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 130 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 9 · May 28 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 28 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Austin
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 21 – Jun 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16720 is matched to the NOAA station Coudersport 1 Sw, PA, 14.9 km away, at 1,650 ft elevation (279 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coudersport 1 Sw, PA (used) | 1,650 ft | May 22 | Oct 1 |
| Coudersport 7Se, PA | 2,150 ft | May 14 | Oct 4 |
| Emporium, PA | 1,040 ft | May 7 | Oct 15 |
| Stevenson Dam, PA | 932 ft | May 10 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Austin
- Roulette, PA 16746 · last May 22, first Oct 1
- Emporium, PA 15834 · last May 7, first Oct 15
- Coudersport, PA 16915 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Port Allegany, PA 16743 · last May 15, first Oct 6
- Crosby, PA 16724 · last May 15, first Oct 6
- Sinnamahoning, PA 15861 · last May 14, first Oct 4
- Driftwood, PA 15832 · last May 7, first Oct 15
- Cross Fork, PA 17729 · last May 22, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Austin, PA?
- For ZIP code 16720, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Coudersport 1 Sw, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Austin, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. 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 16720?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 130 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.