When is the last frost in Santa Barbara, CA?

For ZIP code 93110, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Santa Barbara Muni Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 13.

When is the first frost in Santa Barbara, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 93110?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 342 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 93110Santa Barbara, CA

The average last spring frost in Santa Barbara is January 11 and the average first fall frost is December 16, giving a typical growing season of about 342 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Jan 11
Average first fall frost: Dec 16
Growing season: 342 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 9 · Feb 13 · Mar 17	Nov 11 · Dec 1 · Dec 20	290 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 14 · Jan 11 · Feb 13	Dec 1 · Dec 16 · Jan 18	342 days	81%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 8 · Dec 30 · Jan 18	Dec 7 · Dec 26 · Jan 12	365 days	26%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 93110 is matched to the NOAA station Santa Barbara Muni Ap, CA, 7.4 km away, at 9 ft elevation (132 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Santa Barbara Muni Ap, CA (used)	9 ft	Jan 11	Dec 16
Santa Barbara, CA	16 ft	Jan 13	Jan 6
Santa Barbara 11 W, CA	18 ft	Dec 31	Dec 20
Gibraltar Dam #2, CA	1,558 ft	Mar 20	Nov 27

Frost dates near Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA 93105 · last Jan 13, first Jan 6
Goleta, CA 93116 · last Jan 11, first Dec 16
Summerland, CA 93067 · last Jan 13, first Jan 6
Carpinteria, CA 93013 · last Jan 13, first Jan 6
Santa Ynez, CA 93460 · last Apr 11, first Nov 8
Ventura, CA 93001 · last Mar 21, first Nov 15
Los Olivos, CA 93441 · last Apr 11, first Nov 8
Solvang, CA 93464 · last Apr 11, first Nov 8

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Santa Barbara, CA?: For ZIP code 93110, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Santa Barbara Muni Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 13.
When is the first frost in Santa Barbara, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 93110?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 342 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.