When is the last frost in Surprise, AZ?

For ZIP code 85387, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wittmann 1Se, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 3.

When is the first frost in Surprise, AZ?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 11. 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 85387?

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 85387Surprise, AZ

The average last spring frost in Surprise is February 5 and the average first fall frost is December 11, giving a typical growing season of about 306 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Feb 5
Average first fall frost: Dec 11
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 6 · Mar 4 · Apr 2	Nov 8 · Nov 26 · Dec 14	266 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Jan 6 · Feb 5 · Mar 3	Nov 20 · Dec 11 · Jan 2	306 days	99%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 14 · Jan 15 · Feb 12	Dec 4 · Dec 27 · Jan 28	345 days	76%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 85387 is matched to the NOAA station Wittmann 1Se, AZ, 10.7 km away, at 1,683 ft elevation (269 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Wittmann 1Se, AZ (used)	1,683 ft	Feb 5	Dec 11
Youngtown, AZ	1,135 ft	Jan 20	Dec 15
Litchfield Park, AZ	1,040 ft	Jan 7	Dec 24
Castle Hot Springs, AZ	1,990 ft	Jan 15	Dec 22

Frost dates near Surprise

Sun City West, AZ 85375 · last Jan 20, first Dec 15
Surprise, AZ 85388 · last Jan 20, first Dec 15
Sun City, AZ 85373 · last Jan 20, first Dec 15
El Mirage, AZ 85335 · last Jan 20, first Dec 15
Waddell, AZ 85355 · last Jan 20, first Dec 15
Wittmann, AZ 85361 · last Feb 5, first Dec 11
Peoria, AZ 85383 · last Jan 8, first Dec 25
Youngtown, AZ 85363 · last Jan 20, first Dec 15

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Surprise, AZ?: For ZIP code 85387, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wittmann 1Se, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 3.
When is the first frost in Surprise, AZ?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 11. 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 85387?: 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.