Frost dates for 27603Raleigh, NC
The average last spring frost in Raleigh is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 227 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 227 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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) | Mar 22 · Apr 7 · Apr 22 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 205 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 28 · Apr 12 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 27 | 227 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 14 · Apr 2 | Nov 6 · Nov 23 · Dec 17 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Raleigh
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 | Feb 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27603 is matched to the NOAA station Raleigh 4 Sw, NC, 3.5 km away, at 420 ft elevation (112 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh 4 Sw, NC (used) | 420 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 9 |
| Garner, NC | 330 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| Raleigh State Univ, NC | 400 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
| Cary, NC | 390 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Raleigh
- Raleigh, NC 27602 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Garner, NC 27529 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Cary, NC 27518 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
- Apex, NC 27502 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Knightdale, NC 27545 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Willow Spring, NC 27592 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Clayton, NC 27528 · last Apr 7, first Nov 3
- Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 · last Mar 31, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Raleigh, NC?
- For ZIP code 27603, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Raleigh 4 Sw, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Raleigh, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27603?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 227 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.