Frost dates for 92161San Diego, CA
Frost occurs in about 6% of years near San Diego, based on NOAA 1991-2020 records for the San Diego Montgomery Fld, CA station.
Frost occurs in about 6% 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 13 · Jan 8 · Feb 14 | Dec 1 · Dec 25 · Jan 30 | 357 days | 64% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | — | — | 365 days | 6% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — | 365 days | 0% |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92161 is matched to the NOAA station San Diego Montgomery Fld, CA, 10.4 km away, at 417 ft elevation (155 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Montgomery Fld, CA (used) | 417 ft | — | — |
| San Diego Miramar Nas, CA | 477 ft | — | — |
| San Diego Seaworld, CA | 14 ft | — | — |
| San Diego Lindbergh Fld, CA | 15 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near San Diego
- San Diego, CA 92122 · last —, first —
- La Jolla, CA 92037 · last —, first —
- Del Mar, CA 92014 · last —, first —
- Solana Beach, CA 92075 · last —, first —
- Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 · last —, first —
- Cardiff By The Sea, CA 92007 · last —, first —
- Encinitas, CA 92023 · last —, first —
- Poway, CA 92074 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in San Diego, CA?
- Frost occurs in about 6% of years at the nearest NOAA station (San Diego Montgomery Fld, CA), so there is no reliable average last frost date.
- When is the first frost in San Diego, CA?
- Frost occurs in about 6% 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.