When is the last frost in Palm Desert, CA?

For ZIP code 92261, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hemet, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 25.

When is the first frost in Palm Desert, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 92261?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 350 days long.

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 92261Palm Desert, CA

The average last spring frost in Palm Desert is January 10 and the average first fall frost is December 23, giving a typical growing season of about 350 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Jan 10
Average first fall frost: Dec 23
Growing season: 350 days

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)	Jan 5 · Feb 21 · Apr 6	Nov 14 · Dec 9 · Jan 5	290 days	98%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 14 · Jan 10 · Feb 25	Nov 27 · Dec 23 · Jan 31	350 days	67%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 3 · Dec 27 · Jan 30	Dec 3 · Dec 25 · Jan 16	365 days	17%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 92261 is matched to the NOAA station Hemet, CA, 45.8 km away, at 1,811 ft elevation (108 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Hemet, CA (used)	1,811 ft	Jan 10	Dec 23
Indio Fire Stn, CA	-21 ft	Dec 31	Dec 27
Palm Springs Rgnl Ap, CA	421 ft	Jan 9	Jan 9
Palm Springs, CA	425 ft	Jan 1	Dec 31

Frost dates near Palm Desert

Palm Desert, CA 92255 · last Jan 9, first Jan 9
Indian Wells, CA 92210 · last Feb 7, first Dec 2
La Quinta, CA 92253 · last Feb 7, first Dec 2
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 · last Jan 9, first Jan 9
Cathedral City, CA 92235 · last Jan 9, first Jan 9
Palm Springs, CA 92263 · last Jan 1, first Dec 31
Indio, CA 92203 · last Feb 7, first Dec 2
Thousand Palms, CA 92276 · last Jan 9, first Jan 9

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Palm Desert, CA?: For ZIP code 92261, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hemet, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 25.
When is the first frost in Palm Desert, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 92261?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 350 days long.
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.