FrostDateByZip

Frost dates for 94574Saint Helena, CA

The average last spring frost in Saint Helena is February 3 and the average first fall frost is December 4, giving a typical growing season of about 306 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost
Feb 3

Safer after Mar 13 (1-in-10 risk)

Average first fall frost
Dec 4

Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)

Growing season
306 days

First frost typically in 33 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.
TemperatureLast spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chanceFirst fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chanceGrowing season (50%)Years with at least one
Light frost (36°F)Feb 14 · Mar 19 · Apr 17Oct 31 · Nov 18 · Dec 5243 days100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)Dec 28 · Feb 3 · Mar 13Nov 14 · Dec 4 · Jan 1306 days97%
Hard freeze (28°F)Dec 11 · Jan 5 · Feb 9Nov 27 · Dec 17 · Jan 18349 days65%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 94574 is matched to the NOAA station Saint Helena, CA, 1.1 km away, at 225 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

StationElevationAvg last frostAvg first frost
Saint Helena, CA (used)225 ftFeb 3Dec 4
Angwin Pacific Union College, CA1,715 ftApr 7Dec 5
Calistoga, CA400 ftMar 2Nov 23
Santa Rosa, CA166 ftFeb 25Dec 1

Frost dates near Saint Helena

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Saint Helena, CA?
For ZIP code 94574, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Saint Helena, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 13.
When is the first frost in Saint Helena, CA?
The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 4. 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 94574?
In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 306 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.