Frost dates for 86016Gray Mountain, AZ
The average last spring frost in Gray Mountain is April 7 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 206 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 206 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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) | Apr 5 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 5 | 179 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 7 · Apr 30 | Oct 19 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 206 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 17 · Apr 10 | Oct 30 · Nov 14 · Nov 27 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gray Mountain
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 | Mar 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86016 is matched to the NOAA station Wupatki Nm, AZ, 33.7 km away, at 4,908 ft elevation (991 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wupatki Nm, AZ (used) | 4,908 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 3 |
| Grand Canyon E Entrance, AZ | 7,480 ft | May 10 | Oct 20 |
| Sunset Crater Nm, AZ | 6,980 ft | Jun 16 | Sep 19 |
| Grand Canyon Np Ap, AZ | 6,606 ft | Jun 17 | Sep 24 |
Frost dates near Gray Mountain
- Cameron, AZ 86020 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Tuba City, AZ 86045 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 · last Jun 17, first Sep 24
- Williams, AZ 86046 · last May 9, first Oct 19
- Flagstaff, AZ 86004 · last Jun 4, first Sep 28
- Bellemont, AZ 86015 · last Jun 21, first Sep 17
- Parks, AZ 86018 · last Jun 21, first Sep 17
- North Rim, AZ 86052 · last Jun 3, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gray Mountain, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86016, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wupatki Nm, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Gray Mountain, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86016?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 206 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.