Frost dates for 85937Snowflake, AZ
The average last spring frost in Snowflake is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 196 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) | May 10 · May 26 · Jun 12 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 13 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 11 · May 31 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 172 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Snowflake
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 85937 is matched to the NOAA station Snowflake, AZ, 1.4 km away, at 5,642 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowflake, AZ (used) | 5,642 ft | May 11 | Oct 10 |
| Show Low Ap, AZ | 6,411 ft | May 5 | Oct 15 |
| Petrified Forest Np, AZ | 5,446 ft | May 4 | Oct 16 |
| Pinetop 2E, AZ | 7,200 ft | May 22 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Snowflake
- Taylor, AZ 85939 · last May 11, first Oct 10
- Show Low, AZ 85902 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Clay Springs, AZ 85923 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Pinedale, AZ 85934 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- White Mountain Lake, AZ 85912 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Woodruff, AZ 85942 · last Apr 22, first Oct 24
- Lakeside, AZ 85929 · last May 5, first Oct 15
- Concho, AZ 85924 · last May 2, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Snowflake, AZ?
- For ZIP code 85937, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Snowflake, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Snowflake, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 85937?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.