Frost dates for 93601Ahwahnee, CA
The average last spring frost in Ahwahnee is April 24 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 25 · May 13 · Jun 6 | Oct 1 · Oct 20 · Nov 6 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 24 · May 14 | Oct 14 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Apr 5 · Apr 23 | Oct 30 · Nov 20 · Dec 6 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ahwahnee
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93601 is matched to the NOAA station N Fk Rs, CA, 27.1 km away, at 2,645 ft elevation (442 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N Fk Rs, CA (used) | 2,645 ft | Apr 24 | Nov 4 |
| So Entrance Yosemite Np, CA | 5,047 ft | May 24 | Oct 10 |
| Auberry 2 Nw, CA | 2,090 ft | Mar 25 | Dec 3 |
| Yosemite Park Hq, CA | 4,018 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Ahwahnee
- Oakhurst, CA 93644 · last Apr 24, first Nov 4
- Fish Camp, CA 93623 · last May 24, first Oct 10
- Bass Lake, CA 93604 · last Apr 21, first Oct 27
- Raymond, CA 93653 · last Mar 9, first Dec 1
- Mariposa, CA 95338 · last Apr 22, first Nov 2
- Wishon, CA 93669 · last May 24, first Oct 10
- Coarsegold, CA 93614 · last Mar 25, first Dec 3
- O Neals, CA 93645 · last Mar 25, first Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ahwahnee, CA?
- For ZIP code 93601, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the N Fk Rs, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Ahwahnee, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93601?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.