When is the last frost in Death Valley, CA?

For ZIP code 92328, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Death Valley Np, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after January 21.

When is the first frost in Death Valley, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 92328?

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 92328Death Valley, CA

The average last spring frost in Death Valley is January 1 and the average first fall frost is December 19, giving a typical growing season of about 350 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Jan 1
Average first fall frost: Dec 19
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)	Dec 31 · Jan 21 · Feb 11	Nov 23 · Dec 7 · Dec 22	321 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 14 · Jan 1 · Jan 21	Dec 4 · Dec 19 · Jan 4	350 days	81%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 13 · Dec 27 · Jan 11	Dec 12 · Dec 25 · Jan 8	365 days	24%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 92328 is matched to the NOAA station Death Valley Np, CA, 2.5 km away, at -194 ft elevation (72 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Death Valley Np, CA (used)	-194 ft	Jan 1	Dec 19
Stovepipe Wells 1 Sw, CA	84 ft	Jan 4	Dec 22
Amargosa Farms-Garey, NV	2,450 ft	Mar 15	Nov 13
Beatty 8 N, NV	3,550 ft	Apr 12	Nov 3

Frost dates near Death Valley

Amargosa Valley, NV 89020 · last Mar 15, first Nov 13
Beatty, NV 89003 · last Apr 12, first Nov 3
Darwin, CA 93522 · last Apr 17, first Nov 1
Shoshone, CA 92384 · last Mar 29, first Nov 3
Pahrump, NV 89060 · last Mar 29, first Nov 3
Mercury, NV 89023 · last Mar 10, first Nov 19
Keeler, CA 93530 · last Apr 17, first Nov 1
Trona, CA 93592 · last Feb 15, first Nov 28

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Death Valley, CA?: For ZIP code 92328, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Death Valley Np, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after January 21.
When is the first frost in Death Valley, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 92328?: 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.