Frost dates for 28557Morehead City, NC
The average last spring frost in Morehead City is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 249 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 249 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 18 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 15 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 28 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 18 · Apr 5 | Nov 5 · Nov 21 · Dec 12 | 249 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 2 · Mar 23 | Nov 15 · Dec 5 · Jan 4 | 279 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Morehead City
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28557 is matched to the NOAA station Morehead City 2 Wnw, NC, 1.8 km away, at 10 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morehead City 2 Wnw, NC (used) | 10 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 21 |
| Atlantic Beach Wtp, NC | 4 ft | Mar 3 | Dec 13 |
| Beaufort Michael J Smith Fld, NC | 11 ft | Mar 10 | Dec 1 |
| Newport/Morehead City Wfo, NC | 30 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Morehead City
- Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 · last Mar 18, first Nov 21
- Beaufort, NC 28516 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Salter Path, NC 28575 · last Mar 18, first Nov 21
- Newport, NC 28570 · last Mar 19, first Nov 22
- Harkers Island, NC 28531 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Gloucester, NC 28528 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Smyrna, NC 28579 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Marshallberg, NC 28553 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Morehead City, NC?
- For ZIP code 28557, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Morehead City 2 Wnw, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Morehead City, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28557?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 249 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.