Frost dates for 86441Dolan Springs, AZ
The average last spring frost in Dolan Springs is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 28, giving a typical growing season of about 265 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 28
- Growing season
- 265 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 32 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) | Mar 3 · Mar 24 · Apr 15 | Oct 30 · Nov 17 · Nov 30 | 236 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 5 · Mar 28 | Nov 14 · Nov 28 · Dec 10 | 265 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 16 · Mar 7 | Nov 24 · Dec 9 · Dec 23 | 295 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dolan Springs
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 | Feb 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Oct 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 18 – Dec 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 86441 is matched to the NOAA station Meadview 1W, AZ, 57.2 km away, at 2,938 ft elevation (120 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meadview 1W, AZ (used) | 2,938 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 28 |
| Willow Beach, AZ | 740 ft | Jan 7 | Dec 29 |
| Laughlin, NV | 605 ft | Jan 5 | Dec 24 |
| Searchlight, NV | 3,540 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 29 |
Frost dates near Dolan Springs
- Chloride, AZ 86431 · last Apr 2, first Nov 11
- Willow Beach, AZ 86445 · last Feb 4, first Dec 10
- Golden Valley, AZ 86413 · last Apr 2, first Nov 11
- Temple Bar Marina, AZ 86443 · last Apr 2, first Nov 11
- Kingman, AZ 86402 · last Apr 2, first Nov 11
- Searchlight, NV 89046 · last Mar 7, first Nov 29
- Bullhead City, AZ 86429 · last Jan 5, first Dec 24
- Hualapai, AZ 86412 · last Apr 2, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dolan Springs, AZ?
- For ZIP code 86441, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Meadview 1W, AZ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Dolan Springs, AZ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 86441?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 265 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.