When is the last frost in Phoenix, AZ?

Frost occurs in about 18% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Ap, AZ), so there is no reliable average last frost date.

When is the first frost in Phoenix, AZ?

Frost occurs in about 18% of years at the nearest NOAA station.

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 85038Phoenix, AZ

Frost occurs in about 18% of years near Phoenix, based on NOAA 1991-2020 records for the Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Ap, AZ station.

Frost occurs in about 18% of years. Frost-tender plants can usually grow year-round, but cover them if a rare cold snap is forecast.

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)	Dec 14 · Jan 6 · Feb 6	Dec 5 · Dec 24 · Jan 16	351 days	78%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 19 · Jan 5 · Jan 22	Dec 18 · Jan 3 · Jan 21	365 days	18%
Hard freeze (28°F)	—	—	365 days	1%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 85038 is matched to the NOAA station Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Ap, AZ, 6.9 km away, at 1,107 ft elevation (18 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Ap, AZ (used)	1,107 ft	Jan 5	Jan 3
South Phoenix, AZ	1,155 ft	Jan 21	Dec 16
Laveen 3 Sse, AZ	1,135 ft	Jan 14	Dec 22
Tempe Asu, AZ	1,167 ft	Feb 13	Dec 5

Frost dates near Phoenix

Phoenix, AZ 85001 · last Jan 5, first Jan 3
Tempe, AZ 85287 · last Feb 13, first Dec 5
Glendale, AZ 85301 · last Jan 20, first Dec 15
Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309 · last Jan 20, first Dec 15
Laveen, AZ 85339 · last Jan 14, first Dec 22
Scottsdale, AZ 85257 · last Feb 13, first Dec 5
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 · last Jan 6, first Dec 26
Tolleson, AZ 85353 · last Jan 7, first Dec 24

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Phoenix, AZ?: Frost occurs in about 18% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Ap, AZ), so there is no reliable average last frost date.
When is the first frost in Phoenix, AZ?: Frost occurs in about 18% of years at the nearest NOAA station.
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.