Frost dates for 17243Orbisonia, PA
The average last spring frost in Orbisonia is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 17 · Apr 30 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 31 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 7 | Oct 12 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 6 · Apr 19 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 23 | 216 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Orbisonia
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 17243 is matched to the NOAA station Raystown Lake 2, PA, 21.3 km away, at 1,000 ft elevation (111 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raystown Lake 2, PA (used) | 1,000 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 28 |
| Raystown Hq, PA | 995 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 29 |
| Altoona Blair Co Ap, PA | 1,480 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Shippensburg, PA | 680 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Orbisonia
- Rockhill Furnace, PA 17249 · last Apr 19, first Oct 28
- Shirleysburg, PA 17260 · last Apr 19, first Oct 28
- Shade Gap, PA 17255 · last Apr 19, first Oct 28
- Saltillo, PA 17253 · last Apr 19, first Oct 28
- Three Springs, PA 17264 · last Apr 19, first Oct 28
- Blairs Mills, PA 17213 · last Apr 19, first Oct 28
- Cassville, PA 16623 · last Apr 19, first Oct 28
- Neelyton, PA 17239 · last Apr 19, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Orbisonia, PA?
- For ZIP code 17243, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Raystown Lake 2, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Orbisonia, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 17243?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 191 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.