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
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 4
- Growing season
- 306 days
Safer after Mar 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
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.
| 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 14 · Mar 19 · Apr 17 | Oct 31 · Nov 18 · Dec 5 | 243 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 28 · Feb 3 · Mar 13 | Nov 14 · Dec 4 · Jan 1 | 306 days | 97% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 11 · Jan 5 · Feb 9 | Nov 27 · Dec 17 · Jan 18 | 349 days | 65% |
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:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Helena, CA (used) | 225 ft | Feb 3 | Dec 4 |
| Angwin Pacific Union College, CA | 1,715 ft | Apr 7 | Dec 5 |
| Calistoga, CA | 400 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 166 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 1 |
Frost dates near Saint Helena
- Deer Park, CA 94576 · last Mar 2, first Nov 23
- Rutherford, CA 94573 · last Feb 3, first Dec 4
- Angwin, CA 94508 · last Apr 7, first Dec 5
- Oakville, CA 94562 · last Feb 3, first Dec 4
- Pope Valley, CA 94567 · last Mar 2, first Nov 23
- Calistoga, CA 94515 · last Mar 2, first Nov 23
- Kenwood, CA 95452 · last Feb 3, first Dec 4
- Yountville, CA 94599 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
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.