Frost dates for 92085Vista, CA
Frost occurs in about 35% of years near Vista, based on NOAA 1991-2020 records for the Vista, CA station.
Frost occurs in about 35% 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.
| 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 27 · Feb 16 · Apr 6 | Dec 4 · Dec 25 · Feb 9 | 315 days | 89% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 20 · Jan 30 · Mar 16 | Dec 14 · Jan 7 · Mar 14 | 365 days | 35% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 14 · Dec 30 · Mar 16 | Dec 13 · Dec 30 · Mar 16 | 365 days | 10% |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92085 is matched to the NOAA station Vista, CA, 4 km away, at 430 ft elevation (99 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista, CA (used) | 430 ft | Jan 30 | Jan 7 |
| Carlsbad Palomar Ap, CA | 328 ft | — | — |
| Oceanside Muni Ap, CA | 28 ft | Jan 23 | Dec 11 |
| Oceanside Marina, CA | 10 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Vista
- Vista, CA 92083 · last —, first —
- Oceanside, CA 92056 · last Jan 30, first Jan 7
- Carlsbad, CA 92010 · last —, first —
- San Luis Rey, CA 92068 · last Feb 16, first Dec 8
- San Marcos, CA 92069 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
- Bonsall, CA 92003 · last Jan 30, first Jan 7
- Camp Pendleton, CA 92055 · last —, first —
- Escondido, CA 92026 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vista, CA?
- Frost occurs in about 35% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Vista, CA), so there is no reliable average last frost date.
- When is the first frost in Vista, CA?
- Frost occurs in about 35% 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.