When is the last frost in New Orleans, LA?

For ZIP code 70181, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marrero 9 Ssw, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 10.

When is the first frost in New Orleans, LA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 70181?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 306 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.

Frost dates for 70181New Orleans, LA

The average last spring frost in New Orleans is February 10 and the average first fall frost is December 12, giving a typical growing season of about 306 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Feb 10
Average first fall frost: Dec 12
Growing season: 306 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.

Spring dates: chance of a frost AFTER the date. Fall dates: chance of a frost BEFORE the date.
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 5 · Mar 1 · Mar 21	Nov 9 · Nov 26 · Dec 23	272 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Jan 9 · Feb 10 · Mar 10	Nov 20 · Dec 12 · Jan 12	306 days	97%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 29 · Jan 27 · Feb 28	Dec 3 · Jan 1 · Feb 1	340 days	76%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 70181 is matched to the NOAA station Marrero 9 Ssw, LA, 12.2 km away, at 3 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Marrero 9 Ssw, LA (used)	3 ft	Feb 10	Dec 12
New Orleans Alvin Callender Fl, LA	5 ft	Feb 18	Dec 6
Terrytown 3S, LA	10 ft	Feb 1	Dec 31
New Orleans Audubon, LA	20 ft	Jan 24	Jan 2

Frost dates near New Orleans

Barataria, LA 70036 · last Feb 10, first Dec 12
Lafitte, LA 70067 · last Feb 10, first Dec 12
Braithwaite, LA 70040 · last Feb 10, first Dec 12
Belle Chasse, LA 70037 · last Feb 1, first Dec 31
Marrero, LA 70072 · last Jan 24, first Jan 2
Harvey, LA 70058 · last Feb 1, first Dec 31
Gretna, LA 70056 · last Feb 1, first Dec 31
Westwego, LA 70096 · last Jan 24, first Jan 2

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in New Orleans, LA?: For ZIP code 70181, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marrero 9 Ssw, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 10.
When is the first frost in New Orleans, LA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 70181?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 306 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.