Frost dates for 27979Sunbury, NC
The average last spring frost in Sunbury is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 16 · May 1 · May 20 | Oct 6 · Oct 19 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 20 · May 9 | Oct 17 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 28 | Oct 26 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sunbury
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 27979 is matched to the NOAA station Wallaceton-Lake Drummond, VA, 23.7 km away, at 20 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallaceton-Lake Drummond, VA (used) | 20 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 27 |
| Holland 1 E, VA | 80 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 2 |
| Suffolk Lake Kilby, VA | 22 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 15 |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 8 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Sunbury
- Hobbsville, NC 27946 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Corapeake, NC 27926 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Gatesville, NC 27938 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Belvidere, NC 27919 · last Mar 27, first Nov 17
- Gates, NC 27937 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Roduco, NC 27969 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Suffolk, VA 23438 · last Apr 7, first Nov 2
- Tyner, NC 27980 · last Mar 24, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sunbury, NC?
- For ZIP code 27979, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wallaceton-Lake Drummond, VA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Sunbury, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 27979?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.