When is the last frost in Charleston, SC?

For ZIP code 29403, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Charleston City, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 4.

When is the first frost in Charleston, SC?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 29403?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 321 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.

Frost dates for 29403Charleston, SC

The average last spring frost in Charleston is February 4 and the average first fall frost is December 30, giving a typical growing season of about 321 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Feb 4
Average first fall frost: Dec 30
Growing season: 321 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.

Spring dates: chance of a frost AFTER the date. Fall dates: chance of a frost BEFORE the date.
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)	Jan 29 · Feb 25 · Mar 17	Nov 20 · Dec 10 · Jan 7	290 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Jan 5 · Feb 4 · Mar 4	Dec 2 · Dec 30 · Jan 25	321 days	92%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 27 · Jan 24 · Feb 20	Dec 15 · Jan 8 · Feb 3	352 days	63%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 29403 is matched to the NOAA station Charleston City, SC, 2.5 km away, at 10 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Charleston City, SC (used)	10 ft	Feb 4	Dec 30
Sullivans Is, SC	5 ft	Mar 13	Nov 30
Charleston Intl Ap, SC	40 ft	Mar 7	Nov 27
Summerville 4W, SC	65 ft	Mar 22	Nov 12

Frost dates near Charleston

Charleston, SC 29409 · last Feb 4, first Dec 30
North Charleston, SC 29415 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
Mount Pleasant, SC 29465 · last Mar 13, first Nov 30
Sullivans Island, SC 29482 · last Mar 13, first Nov 30
Johns Island, SC 29455 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
Hanahan, SC 29410 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
Folly Beach, SC 29439 · last Mar 13, first Nov 30
Charleston Afb, SC 29404 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Charleston, SC?: For ZIP code 29403, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Charleston City, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 4.
When is the first frost in Charleston, SC?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 29403?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 321 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.