Frost dates for 27703Durham, NC
The average last spring frost in Durham is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 219 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 219 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (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) | Mar 29 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 6 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 17 | 219 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 18 · Apr 3 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Durham
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27703 is matched to the NOAA station Raleigh Durham Intl Ap, NC, 11.1 km away, at 416 ft elevation (81 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Durham Intl Ap, NC (used) | 416 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 4 |
| Durham, NC | 400 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 4 |
| Falls Lake, NC | 280 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
| Chapel Hill Williams Ap, NC | 512 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Durham
- Durham, NC 27701 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Raleigh, NC 27617 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Chapel Hill, NC 27517 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Morrisville, NC 27560 · last Mar 31, first Nov 4
- Cary, NC 27512 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Butner, NC 27509 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Bahama, NC 27503 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Creedmoor, NC 27522 · last Apr 4, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Durham, NC?
- For ZIP code 27703, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Raleigh Durham Intl Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Durham, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27703?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 219 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.