Frost dates for 92239Desert Center, CA
Frost occurs in about 13% of years near Desert Center, based on NOAA 1991-2020 records for the Eagle Mtn, CA station.
Frost occurs in about 13% 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 15 · Jan 11 · Feb 15 | Dec 6 · Dec 29 · Feb 3 | 356 days | 63% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 30 · Jan 10 · Feb 14 | Dec 26 · Jan 8 · Feb 10 | 365 days | 13% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | — | — | 365 days | 1% |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92239 is matched to the NOAA station Eagle Mtn, CA, 7.8 km away, at 973 ft elevation (333 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Mtn, CA (used) | 973 ft | Jan 10 | Jan 8 |
| Hayfield Pumping Plt, CA | 1,370 ft | Feb 20 | Nov 30 |
| Chiriaco Summit, CA | 1,706 ft | Feb 5 | Dec 17 |
| Iron Mtn, CA | 922 ft | Jan 3 | Dec 31 |
Frost dates near Desert Center
- Niland, CA 92257 · last Jan 6, first Dec 22
- Indio, CA 92202 · last Jan 24, first Dec 10
- Mecca, CA 92254 · last Jan 6, first Dec 22
- Blythe, CA 92226 · last Jan 25, first Dec 12
- Calipatria, CA 92233 · last Jan 4, first Dec 26
- Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 · last Jan 24, first Dec 10
- Palo Verde, CA 92266 · last Jan 25, first Dec 12
- Coachella, CA 92236 · last Feb 7, first Dec 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Desert Center, CA?
- Frost occurs in about 13% of years at the nearest NOAA station (Eagle Mtn, CA), so there is no reliable average last frost date.
- When is the first frost in Desert Center, CA?
- Frost occurs in about 13% 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.