Frost dates for 16859Moshannon, PA
The average last spring frost in Moshannon is May 21 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 130 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 21
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 27
- Growing season
- 130 days
Safer after Jun 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 15 · May 31 · Jun 15 | Aug 31 · Sep 15 · Oct 1 | 106 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 21 · Jun 1 | Sep 12 · Sep 27 · Oct 13 | 130 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 7 · May 27 | Sep 22 · Oct 8 · Oct 30 | 153 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Moshannon
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 20 – Jun 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jun 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 18 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jul 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – May 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 18 – Jul 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 17 – Oct 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16859 is matched to the NOAA station Clarence, PA, 6 km away, at 1,390 ft elevation (60 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarence, PA (used) | 1,390 ft | May 21 | Sep 27 |
| Philipsburg 2 S, PA | 1,720 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| State College, PA | 1,170 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
| Clearfield Lawrence Ap, PA | 1,516 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Moshannon
- Snow Shoe, PA 16874 · last May 21, first Sep 27
- Clarence, PA 16829 · last May 21, first Sep 27
- Drifting, PA 16834 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Grassflat, PA 16839 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Karthaus, PA 16845 · last May 21, first Sep 27
- Lanse, PA 16849 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Winburne, PA 16879 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Kylertown, PA 16847 · last May 13, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Moshannon, PA?
- For ZIP code 16859, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clarence, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 1.
- When is the first frost in Moshannon, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 16859?
- 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.