Frost dates for 85118Gold Canyon, AZ
The average last spring frost in Gold Canyon is February 11 and the average first fall frost is December 10, giving a typical growing season of about 304 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 11
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 10
- Growing season
- 304 days
Safer after Mar 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 44 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) | Feb 7 · Mar 6 · Apr 1 | Nov 7 · Nov 28 · Dec 15 | 266 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 5 · Feb 11 · Mar 7 | Nov 19 · Dec 10 · Jan 1 | 304 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 12 · Jan 13 · Feb 18 | Nov 28 · Dec 22 · Feb 1 | 344 days | 78% |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85118 is matched to the NOAA station Apache Junction 5 Ne, AZ, 19.3 km away, at 2,070 ft elevation (78 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Junction 5 Ne, AZ (used) | 2,070 ft | Feb 11 | Dec 10 |
| Superior, AZ | 2,860 ft | Jan 18 | Dec 28 |
| Mormon Flat, AZ | 1,705 ft | Jan 29 | Dec 24 |
| E Mesa, AZ | 1,518 ft | Feb 1 | Dec 10 |
Frost dates near Gold Canyon
- Apache Junction, AZ 85117 · last Feb 11, first Dec 10
- Tortilla Flat, AZ 85190 · last Feb 11, first Dec 10
- San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 · last Feb 17, first Nov 29
- Superior, AZ 85173 · last Jan 18, first Dec 28
- Mesa, AZ 85212 · last Feb 1, first Dec 10
- Queen Creek, AZ 85142 · last Feb 1, first Dec 11
- Higley, AZ 85236 · last Feb 1, first Dec 10
- Gilbert, AZ 85298 · last Feb 1, first Dec 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gold Canyon, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85118, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Apache Junction 5 Ne, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 7.
- When is the first frost in Gold Canyon, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85118?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 304 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.