When is the last frost in Santa Clara, CA?

For ZIP code 95054, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the San Jose, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 14.

When is the first frost in Santa Clara, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 95054?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 347 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 95054Santa Clara, CA

The average last spring frost in Santa Clara is January 12 and the average first fall frost is December 22, giving a typical growing season of about 347 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Jan 12
Average first fall frost: Dec 22
Growing season: 347 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)	Jan 11 · Feb 12 · Mar 9	Nov 17 · Dec 3 · Dec 31	295 days	99%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 20 · Jan 12 · Feb 14	Dec 1 · Dec 22 · Jan 20	347 days	76%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 10 · Dec 31 · Jan 17	Dec 6 · Dec 28 · Jan 14	365 days	20%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 95054 is matched to the NOAA station San Jose, CA, 5 km away, at 51 ft elevation (31 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
San Jose, CA (used)	51 ft	Jan 12	Dec 22
San Jose, CA	67 ft	Jan 2	Dec 25
Moffett Federal Airfield, CA	39 ft	Jan 6	Dec 23
Newark, CA	10 ft	Jan 1	Dec 27

Frost dates near Santa Clara

Santa Clara, CA 95056 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
San Jose, CA 95134 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
Sunnyvale, CA 94089 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
Alviso, CA 95002 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
Milpitas, CA 95036 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
Mountain View, CA 94041 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
Campbell, CA 95011 · last Jan 2, first Dec 25
Cupertino, CA 95014 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Santa Clara, CA?: For ZIP code 95054, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the San Jose, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 14.
When is the first frost in Santa Clara, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 95054?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 347 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.