Frost dates for 93610Chowchilla, CA
The average last spring frost in Chowchilla is February 12 and the average first fall frost is November 30, giving a typical growing season of about 293 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 30
- Growing season
- 293 days
Safer after Mar 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 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) | Feb 24 · Mar 23 · Apr 17 | Oct 30 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 235 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 6 · Feb 12 · Mar 17 | Nov 14 · Nov 30 · Jan 3 | 293 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 11 · Jan 7 · Feb 12 | Nov 24 · Dec 15 · Jan 19 | 341 days | 72% |
Planting calendar for Chowchilla
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 | Jan 12 – Mar 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Feb 28 – Aug 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 12 – Feb 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Feb 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Aug 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Feb 28 – Apr 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Feb 28 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Feb 28 – Aug 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Mar 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 1 – Dec 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 15 – Jan 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Mar 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Mar 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 20 – Dec 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 93610 is matched to the NOAA station Madera Muni Ap, CA, 18.9 km away, at 253 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madera Muni Ap, CA (used) | 253 ft | Feb 12 | Nov 30 |
| Madera, CA | 270 ft | Feb 18 | Nov 27 |
| Merced Muni Ap, CA | 152 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 25 |
| Merced, CA | 154 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Chowchilla
- Le Grand, CA 95333 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Planada, CA 95365 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Madera, CA 93638 · last Feb 18, first Nov 27
- El Nido, CA 95317 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Merced, CA 95341 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
- Firebaugh, CA 93622 · last Feb 12, first Nov 30
- Dos Palos, CA 93620 · last Jan 26, first Dec 10
- Santa Rita Park, CA 93661 · last Feb 26, first Nov 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chowchilla, CA?
- For ZIP code 93610, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Madera Muni Ap, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 17.
- When is the first frost in Chowchilla, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 93610?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 293 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.