Frost dates for 27943Hatteras, NC
The average last spring frost in Hatteras is March 4 and the average first fall frost is December 22, giving a typical growing season of about 290 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 4
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 22
- Growing season
- 290 days
Safer after Mar 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 49 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) | Feb 28 · Mar 19 · Apr 4 | Nov 17 · Dec 2 · Dec 27 | 260 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 4 · Mar 25 | Nov 29 · Dec 22 · Jan 16 | 290 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 12 · Mar 11 | Dec 17 · Jan 8 · Feb 5 | 320 days | 92% |
Planting calendar for Hatteras
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 1 – Apr 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Sep 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Sep 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – May 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Oct 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Sep 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 21 – Jan 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Apr 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Nov 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Dec 12 – Jan 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27943 is matched to the NOAA station Cape Hatteras Ap, NC, 6.4 km away, at 11 ft elevation (11 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Hatteras Ap, NC (used) | 11 ft | Mar 4 | Dec 22 |
| Frisco 2Nne, NC | 0 ft | Mar 1 | Dec 20 |
| Ocracoke, NC | 4 ft | Mar 1 | Dec 20 |
| Swanquarter Ferry, NC | 3 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Hatteras
- Frisco, NC 27936 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Buxton, NC 27920 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Ocracoke, NC 27960 · last Mar 1, first Dec 20
- Avon, NC 27915 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Salvo, NC 27972 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Waves, NC 27982 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Engelhard, NC 27824 · last Mar 29, first Nov 13
- Rodanthe, NC 27968 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hatteras, NC?
- For ZIP code 27943, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cape Hatteras Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 25.
- When is the first frost in Hatteras, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27943?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 290 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.