Frost dates for 27614Raleigh, NC
The average last spring frost in Raleigh is April 4 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 213 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 213 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 2 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 191 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 213 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 237 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 | Mar 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27614 is matched to the NOAA station Falls Lake, NC, 4 km away, at 280 ft elevation (134 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falls Lake, NC (used) | 280 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
| Raleigh Durham Intl Ap, NC | 416 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
| Raleigh State Univ, NC | 400 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
| Raleigh 4 Sw, NC | 420 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Raleigh
- Raleigh, NC 27615 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Wake Forest, NC 27587 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Rolesville, NC 27571 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Youngsville, NC 27596 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Durham, NC 27703 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Creedmoor, NC 27522 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
- Cary, NC 27513 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Morrisville, NC 27560 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Raleigh, NC?
- For ZIP code 27614, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Falls Lake, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Raleigh, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27614?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 213 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.