Frost dates for 95071Saratoga, CA
The average last spring frost in Saratoga is February 2 and the average first fall frost is December 6, giving a typical growing season of about 310 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 2
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 6
- Growing season
- 310 days
Safer after Mar 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (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 16 · Mar 20 · Apr 16 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 5 | 241 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Dec 31 · Feb 2 · Mar 14 | Nov 16 · Dec 6 · Jan 7 | 310 days | 97% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 9 · Jan 1 · Jan 26 | Nov 28 · Dec 19 · Jan 13 | 356 days | 58% |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95071 is matched to the NOAA station Los Gatos, CA, 7 km away, at 365 ft elevation (114 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Gatos, CA (used) | 365 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 6 |
| San Jose, CA | 51 ft | Jan 12 | Dec 22 |
| Skyline Ridge Preserve, CA | 2,270 ft | Mar 21 | Dec 15 |
| San Jose, CA | 67 ft | Jan 2 | Dec 25 |
Frost dates near Saratoga
- Saratoga, CA 95070 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6
- Los Gatos, CA 95030 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6
- San Jose, CA 95130 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6
- Cupertino, CA 95014 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6
- Campbell, CA 95008 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6
- Sunnyvale, CA 94087 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
- Santa Clara, CA 95055 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
- Los Altos, CA 94024 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saratoga, CA?
- For ZIP code 95071, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Los Gatos, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 14.
- When is the first frost in Saratoga, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95071?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 310 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.