Frost dates for 35016Arab, AL
The average last spring frost in Arab is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 247 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 247 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (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 11 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 24 | 223 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 17 · Apr 5 | Nov 4 · Nov 19 · Dec 6 | 247 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 2 · Mar 23 | Nov 13 · Dec 1 · Dec 24 | 273 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Arab
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 35016 is matched to the NOAA station Guntersville No.2, AL, 14.7 km away, at 595 ft elevation (501 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guntersville No.2, AL (used) | 595 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 19 |
| Guntersville, AL | 578 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 18 |
| Owens Cross Roads 3S, AL | 590 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Cullman 3 Ene, AL | 800 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Arab
- Joppa, AL 35087 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Union Grove, AL 35175 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Baileyton, AL 35019 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Holly Pond, AL 35083 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Guntersville, AL 35976 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Horton, AL 35980 · last Mar 17, first Nov 19
- Laceys Spring, AL 35754 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Douglas, AL 35964 · last Mar 26, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Arab, AL?
- For ZIP code 35016, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Guntersville No.2, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Arab, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 35016?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 247 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.