Frost dates for 16870Port Matilda, PA
The average last spring frost in Port Matilda is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 142 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 142 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 8 · May 27 · Jun 13 | Sep 6 · Sep 22 · Oct 5 | 118 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 13 · May 29 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 18 | 142 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 20 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Nov 3 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Port Matilda
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 16870 is matched to the NOAA station Philipsburg 2 S, PA, 14 km away, at 1,720 ft elevation (277 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philipsburg 2 S, PA (used) | 1,720 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| State College, PA | 1,170 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
| Clarence, PA | 1,390 ft | May 21 | Sep 27 |
| Clearfield Lawrence Ap, PA | 1,516 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Port Matilda
- Warriors Mark, PA 16877 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Sandy Ridge, PA 16677 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Philipsburg, PA 16866 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- State College, PA 16803 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Julian, PA 16844 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Hawk Run, PA 16840 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Lanse, PA 16849 · last May 13, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Port Matilda, PA?
- For ZIP code 16870, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Philipsburg 2 S, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Port Matilda, 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 16870?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 142 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.