Frost dates for 36803Opelika, AL
The average last spring frost in Opelika is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 223 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 223 days
Safer after Apr 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 24 · Apr 10 · Apr 25 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 29 · Apr 15 | Oct 22 · Nov 5 · Nov 22 | 223 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 13 · Apr 1 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 7 | 251 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Opelika
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 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 36803 is matched to the NOAA station Opelika, AL, 6.8 km away, at 640 ft elevation (164 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opelika, AL (used) | 640 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| Auburn No.2, AL | 545 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 17 |
| Mulberry Grove, GA | 501 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 18 |
| Lafayette 2W, AL | 740 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Opelika
- Opelika, AL 36801 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Valley, AL 36872 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Auburn, AL 36831 · last Mar 13, first Nov 17
- Auburn University, AL 36849 · last Mar 13, first Nov 17
- Cusseta, AL 36852 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Waverly, AL 36879 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Salem, AL 36874 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Loachapoka, AL 36865 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Opelika, AL?
- For ZIP code 36803, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Opelika, AL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 15.
- When is the first frost in Opelika, AL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 36803?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 223 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.