Frost dates for 85070Phoenix, 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.
| 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 85070 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.