Frost dates for 93240Lake Isabella, CA
The average last spring frost in Lake Isabella is April 5 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 212 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 212 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 1 | Oct 9 · Oct 21 · Nov 5 | 184 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 212 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 8 · Mar 6 · Apr 7 | Oct 31 · Nov 17 · Dec 1 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake Isabella
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 | Mar 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93240 is matched to the NOAA station S Lake Fs, CA, 9 km away, at 2,654 ft elevation (118 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Lake Fs, CA (used) | 2,654 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 3 |
| Kern River Ph 3, CA | 2,703 ft | Apr 7 | Nov 11 |
| Glennville, CA | 3,140 ft | May 11 | Oct 17 |
| Loraine 5 Nne, CA | 4,235 ft | Apr 22 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Lake Isabella
- Wofford Heights, CA 93285 · last May 11, first Oct 17
- Bodfish, CA 93205 · last Apr 5, first Nov 3
- Kernville, CA 93238 · last May 11, first Oct 17
- Weldon, CA 93283 · last May 11, first Oct 17
- Posey, CA 93260 · last May 11, first Oct 17
- Glennville, CA 93226 · last May 11, first Oct 17
- California Hot Springs, CA 93207 · last May 11, first Oct 17
- Onyx, CA 93255 · last Apr 22, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Isabella, CA?
- For ZIP code 93240, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the S Lake Fs, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Lake Isabella, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93240?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 212 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.