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.

Frost dates for 92182San 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.

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 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 92182 is matched to the NOAA station San Diego Montgomery Fld, CA, 7.4 km away, at 417 ft elevation (26 ft lower 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 Lindbergh Fld, CA	15 ft	—	—
San Diego Miramar Nas, CA	477 ft	—	—
El Cajon, CA	495 ft	Jan 6	Dec 21

Frost dates near San Diego

San Diego, CA 92115 · last —, first —
La Mesa, CA 91943 · last Jan 6, first Dec 21
Lemon Grove, CA 91946 · last Jan 6, first Dec 21
Spring Valley, CA 91976 · last Jan 6, first Dec 21
El Cajon, CA 92020 · last Jan 6, first Dec 21
National City, CA 91951 · last —, first —
Santee, CA 92071 · last Jan 6, first Dec 21
Bonita, CA 91902 · 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.