Frost dates for 86406Lake Havasu City, AZ
The average last spring frost in Lake Havasu City is February 18 and the average first fall frost is December 2, giving a typical growing season of about 288 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 18
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 2
- Growing season
- 288 days
Safer after Mar 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 36 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 20 · Mar 11 · Apr 9 | Nov 6 · Nov 20 · Dec 4 | 250 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 18 · Mar 16 | Nov 16 · Dec 2 · Dec 22 | 288 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 20 · Jan 19 · Feb 24 | Nov 27 · Dec 16 · Jan 12 | 333 days | 89% |
Planting calendar for Lake Havasu City
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 | Jan 18 – Mar 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Aug 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Aug 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Apr 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Aug 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 7 – Jan 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Feb 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Sep 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 21 – Jan 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Apr 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Oct 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 8 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Feb 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 22 – Dec 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86406 is matched to the NOAA station Yucca 1 Nne, AZ, 50.6 km away, at 1,950 ft elevation (80 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yucca 1 Nne, AZ (used) | 1,950 ft | Feb 18 | Dec 2 |
| Parker Resrvoir, CA | 738 ft | Jan 7 | Dec 31 |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | 449 ft | Jan 5 | Dec 29 |
| Parker, AZ | 420 ft | Jan 12 | Dec 19 |
Frost dates near Lake Havasu City
- Parker Dam, CA 92267 · last Jan 7, first Dec 31
- Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405 · last Jan 5, first Dec 29
- Earp, CA 92242 · last Jan 12, first Dec 19
- Parker, AZ 85344 · last Jan 12, first Dec 19
- Yucca, AZ 86438 · last Feb 18, first Dec 2
- Vidal, CA 92280 · last Jan 7, first Dec 31
- Topock, AZ 86436 · last Jan 6, first Jan 2
- Bouse, AZ 85325 · last Feb 18, first Nov 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Havasu City, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86406, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Yucca 1 Nne, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 16.
- When is the first frost in Lake Havasu City, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86406?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 288 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.