Frost dates for 87116Albuquerque, NM
The average last spring frost in Albuquerque is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 19 · May 4 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 17 · Apr 7 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Nov 26 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Albuquerque
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87116 is matched to the NOAA station Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM, 6.1 km away, at 5,310 ft elevation (94 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM (used) | 5,310 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 3 |
| Albuquerque Foothills Ne, NM | 5,994 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Albuquerque Valley, NM | 4,955 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Rio Grande Nature Ctr, NM | 4,944 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Albuquerque
- Albuquerque, NM 87115 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
- Kirtland Afb, NM 87117 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
- Rio Rancho, NM 87174 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Cedar Crest, NM 87008 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Corrales, NM 87048 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Isleta, NM 87022 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Tijeras, NM 87059 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Bosque Farms, NM 87068 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- For ZIP code 87116, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87116?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.