Frost dates for 36616Mobile, AL
The average last spring frost in Mobile is February 21 and the average first fall frost is December 6, giving a typical growing season of about 292 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 21
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 6
- Growing season
- 292 days
Safer after Mar 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 33 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 12 · Mar 6 · Mar 25 | Nov 5 · Nov 22 · Dec 13 | 264 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 25 · Feb 21 · Mar 15 | Nov 15 · Dec 6 · Jan 5 | 292 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 2 · Feb 2 · Mar 6 | Nov 30 · Dec 30 · Jan 30 | 326 days | 89% |
Planting calendar for Mobile
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 21 – Mar 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 10 – Jan 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Apr 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Feb 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 26 – Dec 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36616 is matched to the NOAA station Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL, 7.5 km away, at 26 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL (used) | 26 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 6 |
| Mobile, AL | 208 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Fairhope 2 Ne, AL | 23 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 17 |
| Fairhope 3 Ne, AL | 95 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near Mobile
- Mobile, AL 36606 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Eight Mile, AL 36613 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Theodore, AL 36582 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Semmes, AL 36575 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Saraland, AL 36571 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Spanish Fort, AL 36577 · last Mar 10, first Nov 17
- Satsuma, AL 36572 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Saint Elmo, AL 36568 · last Mar 13, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mobile, AL?
- For ZIP code 36616, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mobile Dwtn Ap, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 15.
- When is the first frost in Mobile, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36616?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 292 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.