When is the last frost in Nipomo, CA?

For ZIP code 93444, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Santa Maria Public Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 16.

When is the first frost in Nipomo, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 13. 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 93444?

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 93444Nipomo, CA

The average last spring frost in Nipomo is February 4 and the average first fall frost is December 13, giving a typical growing season of about 315 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Feb 4
Average first fall frost: Dec 13
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)	Feb 12 · Mar 22 · Apr 17	Nov 3 · Nov 25 · Dec 14	247 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 29 · Feb 4 · Mar 16	Nov 21 · Dec 13 · Jan 10	315 days	94%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 14 · Jan 5 · Feb 8	Dec 5 · Dec 27 · Jan 27	365 days	48%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 93444 is matched to the NOAA station Santa Maria Public Ap, CA, 15 km away, at 242 ft elevation (158 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Santa Maria Public Ap, CA (used)	242 ft	Feb 4	Dec 13
Twitchell Dam, CA	582 ft	Feb 4	Dec 4
Pismo Beach, CA	39 ft	Feb 1	Jan 4
San Luis Obispo Ap, CA	200 ft	Jan 31	Dec 11

Frost dates near Nipomo

Santa Maria, CA 93458 · last Feb 4, first Dec 13
Guadalupe, CA 93434 · last Feb 4, first Dec 13
Oceano, CA 93445 · last Feb 1, first Jan 4
Arroyo Grande, CA 93421 · last Feb 1, first Jan 4
Grover Beach, CA 93433 · last Feb 1, first Jan 4
Pismo Beach, CA 93448 · last Feb 1, first Jan 4
Casmalia, CA 93429 · last Feb 4, first Dec 13
San Luis Obispo, CA 93409 · last Jan 16, first Dec 25

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Nipomo, CA?: For ZIP code 93444, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Santa Maria Public Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 16.
When is the first frost in Nipomo, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 13. 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 93444?: 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.