Frost dates for 18628Lopez, PA
The average last spring frost in Lopez is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 1 · May 18 · May 30 | Sep 17 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 24 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 4 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lopez
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 18628 is matched to the NOAA station Laporte, PA, 16.1 km away, at 1,966 ft elevation (104 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laporte, PA (used) | 1,966 ft | May 6 | Oct 7 |
| Dushore, PA | 1,530 ft | May 14 | Oct 2 |
| Benton 3 Ne, PA | 1,095 ft | May 4 | Oct 11 |
| Towanda 1 S, PA | 760 ft | May 2 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Lopez
- Mildred, PA 18632 · last May 6, first Oct 7
- Dushore, PA 18614 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Laporte, PA 18626 · last May 6, first Oct 7
- Sweet Valley, PA 18656 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Sugar Run, PA 18846 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Noxen, PA 18636 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Benton, PA 17814 · last May 4, first Oct 11
- Harveys Lake, PA 18618 · last May 14, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lopez, PA?
- For ZIP code 18628, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Laporte, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Lopez, PA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 18628?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.