Frost dates for 92672San Clemente, CA
The average last spring frost in San Clemente is February 16 and the average first fall frost is December 8, giving a typical growing season of about 298 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 16
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 8
- Growing season
- 298 days
Safer after Mar 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 42 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.
| 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) | Feb 7 · Mar 12 · Apr 11 | Nov 3 · Nov 21 · Dec 9 | 252 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 31 · Feb 16 · Mar 18 | Nov 21 · Dec 8 · Jan 2 | 298 days | 98% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 13 · Jan 11 · Feb 26 | Dec 2 · Dec 22 · Feb 6 | 346 days | 71% |
Planting calendar for San Clemente
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 16 – Mar 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 4 – Aug 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 16 – Feb 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 4 – Apr 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 4 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 4 – Aug 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Apr 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Mar 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 5 – Jan 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Feb 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Sep 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 19 – Jan 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Apr 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Mar 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Feb 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 28 – Dec 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 92672 is matched to the NOAA station Camp Pendleton Mcas, CA, 29.5 km away, at 75 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Pendleton Mcas, CA (used) | 75 ft | Feb 16 | Dec 8 |
| Laguna Beach, CA | 44 ft | Jan 6 | Jan 2 |
| Newport Beach Harbor, CA | 10 ft | — | — |
| Tustin Irvine Rch, CA | 235 ft | Jan 5 | Dec 25 |
Frost dates near San Clemente
- San Clemente, CA 92674 · last Feb 16, first Dec 8
- Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 · last —, first —
- San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 · last —, first —
- Dana Point, CA 92629 · last —, first —
- Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 · last —, first —
- Ladera Ranch, CA 92694 · last —, first —
- Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 · last —, first —
- Laguna Hills, CA 92653 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in San Clemente, CA?
- For ZIP code 92672, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Camp Pendleton Mcas, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 18.
- When is the first frost in San Clemente, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 92672?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 298 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.