Frost dates for 27948Kill Devil Hills, NC
The average last spring frost in Kill Devil Hills is March 15 and the average first fall frost is December 6, giving a typical growing season of about 266 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 6
- Growing season
- 266 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 33 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 10 · Mar 28 · Apr 12 | Nov 9 · Nov 24 · Dec 10 | 241 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 15 · Mar 30 | Nov 19 · Dec 6 · Dec 27 | 266 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Feb 28 · Mar 19 | Dec 4 · Dec 25 · Jan 14 | 298 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kill Devil Hills
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 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 26 – Dec 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27948 is matched to the NOAA station Manteo Ap, NC, 10.4 km away, at 13 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manteo Ap, NC (used) | 13 ft | Mar 15 | Dec 6 |
| Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC | 10 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 13 |
| Elizabeth City Cgas, NC | 13 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 12 |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 8 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Kill Devil Hills
- Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Manteo, NC 27954 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Point Harbor, NC 27964 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Nags Head, NC 27959 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Harbinger, NC 27941 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Wanchese, NC 27981 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Powells Point, NC 27966 · last Mar 15, first Dec 6
- Jarvisburg, NC 27947 · last Mar 28, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kill Devil Hills, NC?
- For ZIP code 27948, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Manteo Ap, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Kill Devil Hills, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27948?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 266 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.