When is the last frost in Carlsbad, CA?

Frost occurs in about 1% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Carlsbad Palomar Ap, CA), so there is no reliable average last frost date.

When is the first frost in Carlsbad, CA?

Frost occurs in about 1% of years at the nearest NOAA station.

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.

Frost dates for 92009Carlsbad, CA

Frost occurs in about 1% of years near Carlsbad, based on NOAA 1991-2020 records for the Carlsbad Palomar Ap, CA station.

Frost occurs in about 1% of years. Frost-tender plants can usually grow year-round, but cover them if a rare cold snap is forecast.

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.

Spring dates: chance of a frost AFTER the date. Fall dates: chance of a frost BEFORE the date.
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)	Dec 13 · Jan 5 · Feb 6	Dec 12 · Jan 2 · Feb 5	365 days	20%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	—	—	365 days	1%
Hard freeze (28°F)	—	—	365 days	0%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 92009 is matched to the NOAA station Carlsbad Palomar Ap, CA, 4 km away, at 328 ft elevation (285 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Carlsbad Palomar Ap, CA (used)	328 ft	—	—
Vista, CA	430 ft	Jan 30	Jan 7
Oceanside Muni Ap, CA	28 ft	Jan 23	Dec 11
Escondido #2, CA	600 ft	Jan 2	Dec 30

Frost dates near Carlsbad

Carlsbad, CA 92011 · last —, first —
Encinitas, CA 92024 · last —, first —
San Marcos, CA 92078 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
Vista, CA 92081 · last Jan 30, first Jan 7
Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007 · last —, first —
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 · last —, first —
Solana Beach, CA 92075 · last —, first —
Oceanside, CA 92056 · last Jan 30, first Jan 7

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Carlsbad, CA?: Frost occurs in about 1% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Carlsbad Palomar Ap, CA), so there is no reliable average last frost date.
When is the first frost in Carlsbad, CA?: Frost occurs in about 1% of years at the nearest NOAA station.
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.