When is the last frost in San Diego, CA?

Frost occurs in about 39% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Escondido #2, CA), so there is no reliable average last frost date.

When is the first frost in San Diego, CA?

Frost occurs in about 39% 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 92128San Diego, CA

Frost occurs in about 39% of years near San Diego, based on NOAA 1991-2020 records for the Escondido #2, CA station.

Frost occurs in about 39% 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 29 · Jan 31 · Mar 1	Nov 27 · Dec 18 · Jan 19	324 days	94%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 14 · Jan 2 · Feb 4	Dec 8 · Dec 30 · Jan 29	365 days	39%
Hard freeze (28°F)	—	—	365 days	3%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 92128 is matched to the NOAA station Escondido #2, CA, 12.9 km away, at 600 ft elevation (145 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Escondido #2, CA (used)	600 ft	Jan 2	Dec 30
Rancho Bernardo, CA	690 ft	Jan 5	Jan 2
San Pasqual Animal Pk, CA	420 ft	Feb 2	Dec 7
Ramona Ap, CA	1,393 ft	Mar 19	Nov 23

Frost dates near San Diego

San Diego, CA 92127 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
Poway, CA 92064 · last —, first —
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
Escondido, CA 92029 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
San Marcos, CA 92078 · last Jan 2, first Dec 30
Del Mar, CA 92014 · last —, first —
Solana Beach, CA 92075 · last —, first —
Santee, CA 92071 · last Jan 6, first Dec 21

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in San Diego, CA?: Frost occurs in about 39% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Escondido #2, CA), so there is no reliable average last frost date.
When is the first frost in San Diego, CA?: Frost occurs in about 39% 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.