Frost dates for 16803State College, PA
The average last spring frost in State College is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 18 · May 1 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 30 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for State College
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16803 is matched to the NOAA station State College, PA, 2.7 km away, at 1,170 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PA (used) | 1,170 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
| Clarence, PA | 1,390 ft | May 21 | Sep 27 |
| Philipsburg 2 S, PA | 1,720 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| Millheim, PA | 1,120 ft | May 5 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near State College
- University Park, PA 16802 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- State College, PA 16804 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Lemont, PA 16851 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Pine Grove Mills, PA 16868 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Boalsburg, PA 16827 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Julian, PA 16844 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Fleming, PA 16835 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in State College, PA?
- For ZIP code 16803, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the State College, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in State College, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16803?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.