Frost dates for 70130New Orleans, LA
The average last spring frost in New Orleans is February 1 and the average first fall frost is December 31, giving a typical growing season of about 330 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 1
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 31
- Growing season
- 330 days
Safer after Mar 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Dec 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 58 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) | Jan 23 · Feb 22 · Mar 16 | Nov 17 · Dec 9 · Jan 7 | 292 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 2 · Feb 1 · Mar 6 | Dec 1 · Dec 31 · Jan 29 | 330 days | 90% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 29 · Jan 23 · Feb 26 | Dec 20 · Jan 8 · Feb 9 | 361 days | 56% |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70130 is matched to the NOAA station Terrytown 3S, LA, 4.6 km away, at 10 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrytown 3S, LA (used) | 10 ft | Feb 1 | Dec 31 |
| New Orleans Audubon, LA | 20 ft | Jan 24 | Jan 2 |
| Chalmette, LA | 3 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 17 |
| New Orleans Lakefront Ap, LA | 9 ft | Jan 22 | Jan 5 |
Frost dates near New Orleans
- New Orleans, LA 70158 · last Feb 1, first Dec 31
- Gretna, LA 70054 · last Feb 1, first Dec 31
- Harvey, LA 70059 · last Feb 1, first Dec 31
- Marrero, LA 70073 · last Jan 24, first Jan 2
- Westwego, LA 70096 · last Jan 24, first Jan 2
- Arabi, LA 70032 · last Feb 1, first Dec 31
- Metairie, LA 70005 · last Jan 24, first Jan 2
- Chalmette, LA 70043 · last Feb 1, first Dec 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Orleans, LA?
- For ZIP code 70130, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Terrytown 3S, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 6.
- When is the first frost in New Orleans, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70130?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 330 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.