Frost dates for 28511Atlantic, NC
The average last spring frost in Atlantic is March 11 and the average first fall frost is November 30, giving a typical growing season of about 261 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 11
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 30
- Growing season
- 261 days
Safer after Mar 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 11 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 27 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 5 · Mar 24 · Apr 9 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 2 | 237 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 11 · Mar 30 | Nov 11 · Nov 30 · Dec 20 | 261 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 27 · Mar 19 | Nov 24 · Dec 17 · Jan 14 | 294 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Atlantic
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 8 – Apr 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – May 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Apr 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Apr 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 20 – Dec 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28511 is matched to the NOAA station Cedar Is, NC, 11.5 km away, at 8 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Is, NC (used) | 8 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 30 |
| Beaufort Michael J Smith Fld, NC | 11 ft | Mar 10 | Dec 1 |
| Morehead City 2 Wnw, NC | 10 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 21 |
| Atlantic Beach Wtp, NC | 4 ft | Mar 3 | Dec 13 |
Frost dates near Atlantic
- Sealevel, NC 28577 · last Mar 11, first Nov 30
- Stacy, NC 28581 · last Mar 11, first Nov 30
- Cedar Island, NC 28520 · last Mar 11, first Nov 30
- Davis, NC 28524 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Williston, NC 28589 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Smyrna, NC 28579 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Marshallberg, NC 28553 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Gloucester, NC 28528 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Atlantic, NC?
- For ZIP code 28511, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cedar Is, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 30.
- When is the first frost in Atlantic, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28511?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 261 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.