FrostDateByZip

Frost dates for 85297Gilbert, AZ

The average last spring frost in Gilbert is February 1 and the average first fall frost is December 10, giving a typical growing season of about 312 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost
Feb 1

Safer after Feb 28 (1-in-10 risk)

Average first fall frost
Dec 10

Possible by Nov 22 (1-in-10 risk)

Growing season
312 days

First frost typically in 45 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.
TemperatureLast spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chanceFirst fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chanceGrowing season (50%)Years with at least one
Light frost (36°F)Jan 31 · Feb 27 · Mar 15Nov 13 · Nov 30 · Dec 15276 days100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)Jan 1 · Feb 1 · Feb 28Nov 22 · Dec 10 · Jan 1312 days98%
Hard freeze (28°F)Dec 13 · Jan 11 · Feb 11Dec 1 · Dec 26 · Jan 28352 days70%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 85297 is matched to the NOAA station E Mesa, AZ, 16.8 km away, at 1,518 ft elevation (199 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

StationElevationAvg last frostAvg first frost
E Mesa, AZ (used)1,518 ftFeb 1Dec 10
Chandler Heights, AZ1,425 ftFeb 1Dec 11
Tempe Asu, AZ1,167 ftFeb 13Dec 5
Apache Junction 5 Ne, AZ2,070 ftFeb 11Dec 10

Frost dates near Gilbert

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Gilbert, AZ?
For ZIP code 85297, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the E Mesa, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 28.
When is the first frost in Gilbert, AZ?
The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 85297?
In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 312 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.