Frost dates for 27960Ocracoke, NC
The average last spring frost in Ocracoke is March 1 and the average first fall frost is December 20, giving a typical growing season of about 293 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 1
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 20
- Growing season
- 293 days
Safer after Mar 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 47 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 26 · Mar 16 · Apr 2 | Nov 14 · Dec 2 · Dec 26 | 262 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 1 · Mar 21 | Nov 29 · Dec 20 · Jan 14 | 293 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 15 · Feb 8 · Mar 5 | Dec 11 · Jan 5 · Jan 30 | 322 days | 94% |
Planting calendar for Ocracoke
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 | Jan 29 – Apr 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Sep 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – May 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Oct 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Sep 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Apr 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Mar 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Nov 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Dec 10 – Jan 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27960 is matched to the NOAA station Ocracoke, NC, 9.3 km away, at 4 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocracoke, NC (used) | 4 ft | Mar 1 | Dec 20 |
| Cape Hatteras Ap, NC | 11 ft | Mar 4 | Dec 22 |
| Frisco 2Nne, NC | 0 ft | Mar 1 | Dec 20 |
| Cedar Is, NC | 8 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 30 |
Frost dates near Ocracoke
- Hatteras, NC 27943 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Frisco, NC 27936 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Buxton, NC 27920 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Cedar Island, NC 28520 · last Mar 11, first Nov 30
- Avon, NC 27915 · last Mar 4, first Dec 22
- Engelhard, NC 27824 · last Mar 29, first Nov 13
- Swanquarter, NC 27885 · last Mar 18, first Nov 25
- Atlantic, NC 28511 · last Mar 11, first Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ocracoke, NC?
- For ZIP code 27960, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ocracoke, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 21.
- When is the first frost in Ocracoke, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 20. 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 27960?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 293 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.