Frost dates for 16874Snow Shoe, PA
The average last spring frost in Snow Shoe 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 Snow Shoe
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 16874 is matched to the NOAA station Clarence, PA, 1.6 km away, at 1,390 ft elevation (218 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 |
| State College, PA | 1,170 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 26 |
| Philipsburg 2 S, PA | 1,720 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| Alvin R Bush Dam, PA | 930 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Snow Shoe
- Clarence, PA 16829 · last May 21, first Sep 27
- Moshannon, PA 16859 · 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
- Fleming, PA 16835 · last Apr 20, first Oct 26
- Julian, PA 16844 · last May 13, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Snow Shoe, PA?
- For ZIP code 16874, 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 Snow Shoe, 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 16874?
- 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.