Frost dates for 32406Panama City, FL
The average last spring frost in Panama City is February 15 and the average first fall frost is December 12, giving a typical growing season of about 301 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 15
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 12
- Growing season
- 301 days
Safer after Mar 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 39 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 9 · Mar 2 · Mar 24 | Nov 6 · Nov 25 · Dec 18 | 265 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 15 · Mar 11 | Nov 16 · Dec 12 · Jan 12 | 301 days | 98% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 30 · Jan 31 · Feb 28 | Dec 1 · Jan 1 · Feb 1 | 334 days | 84% |
Planting calendar for Panama 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 | Jan 15 – Mar 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 3 – Aug 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Feb 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Sep 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Apr 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Aug 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 – Apr 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 4 – Dec 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Sep 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Apr 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Nov 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Dec 2 – Jan 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 32406 is matched to the NOAA station Panama City 5N, FL, 3.4 km away, at 5 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama City 5N, FL (used) | 5 ft | Feb 15 | Dec 12 |
| Panama City Bay Co Ap, FL | 21 ft | Feb 7 | Dec 24 |
| Nw Florida Beaches Intl Ap, FL | 57 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 1 |
| Wewahitchka, FL | 42 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 29 |
Frost dates near Panama City
- Panama City, FL 32402 · last Feb 15, first Dec 12
- Lynn Haven, FL 32444 · last Feb 15, first Dec 12
- Panama City Beach, FL 32407 · last Feb 15, first Dec 12
- Youngstown, FL 32466 · last Feb 15, first Dec 12
- Ebro, FL 32437 · last Feb 25, first Dec 1
- Rosemary Beach, FL 32461 · last Feb 15, first Dec 12
- Fountain, FL 32438 · last Mar 5, first Nov 21
- Mexico Beach, FL 32410 · last Mar 1, first Nov 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Panama City, FL?
- For ZIP code 32406, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Panama City 5N, FL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 11.
- When is the first frost in Panama City, FL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 32406?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 301 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.