Frost dates for 87198Albuquerque, NM
The average last spring frost in Albuquerque is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 15 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Oct 4 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 13 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 14 | 215 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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 87198 is matched to the NOAA station Albuquerque Valley, NM, 8 km away, at 4,955 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Valley, NM (used) | 4,955 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Albuquerque Intl Ap, NM | 5,310 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 3 |
| Rio Grande Nature Ctr, NM | 4,944 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
| Petroglyph Natl Mon, NM | 5,121 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Albuquerque
- Albuquerque, NM 87158 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Rio Rancho, NM 87174 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Kirtland Afb, NM 87117 · last Apr 6, first Nov 3
- Corrales, NM 87048 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
- Isleta, NM 87022 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Bosque Farms, NM 87068 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Cedar Crest, NM 87008 · last May 9, first Oct 9
- Placitas, NM 87043 · last Apr 25, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- For ZIP code 87198, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Albuquerque Valley, NM weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Albuquerque, NM?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 87198?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.