When is the last frost in Shafter, CA?

For ZIP code 93263, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wasco, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 27.

When is the first frost in Shafter, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 5. 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 93263?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 315 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 93263Shafter, CA

The average last spring frost in Shafter is January 31 and the average first fall frost is December 5, giving a typical growing season of about 315 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Jan 31
Average first fall frost: Dec 5
Growing season: 315 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 30 · Feb 26 · Mar 25	Nov 9 · Nov 24 · Dec 10	271 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Jan 2 · Jan 31 · Feb 27	Nov 21 · Dec 5 · Jan 2	315 days	97%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 8 · Jan 4 · Feb 4	Nov 29 · Dec 16 · Jan 16	352 days	65%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 93263 is matched to the NOAA station Wasco, CA, 12.1 km away, at 291 ft elevation (47 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Wasco, CA (used)	291 ft	Jan 31	Dec 5
Shafter 6E, CA	404 ft	Feb 20	Nov 23
Buttonwillow, CA	225 ft	Feb 9	Nov 26
Bakersfield Ap, CA	489 ft	Jan 17	Dec 15

Frost dates near Shafter

Bakersfield, CA 93314 · last Jan 17, first Dec 15
Buttonwillow, CA 93206 · last Feb 9, first Nov 26
Mc Farland, CA 93250 · last Jan 31, first Dec 5
Wasco, CA 93280 · last Jan 31, first Dec 5
Tupman, CA 93276 · last Feb 9, first Nov 26
Delano, CA 93216 · last Jan 31, first Dec 8
Richgrove, CA 93261 · last Jan 31, first Dec 8
Mc Kittrick, CA 93251 · last Jan 24, first Dec 17

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Shafter, CA?: For ZIP code 93263, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wasco, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 27.
When is the first frost in Shafter, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 5. 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 93263?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 315 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.