When is the last frost in San Jose, CA?

For ZIP code 95126, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 2, 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 January 23.

When is the first frost in San Jose, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 95126?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 362 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 95126San Jose, CA

The average last spring frost in San Jose is January 2 and the average first fall frost is December 25, giving a typical growing season of about 362 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Jan 2
Average first fall frost: Dec 25
Growing season: 362 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)	Dec 27 · Jan 26 · Feb 27	Nov 22 · Dec 10 · Jan 4	318 days	95%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 14 · Jan 2 · Jan 23	Dec 4 · Dec 25 · Jan 14	362 days	56%
Hard freeze (28°F)	—	—	365 days	8%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 95126 is matched to the NOAA station San Jose, CA, 3 km away, at 67 ft elevation (45 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
San Jose, CA (used)	67 ft	Jan 2	Dec 25
San Jose, CA	51 ft	Jan 12	Dec 22
Los Gatos, CA	365 ft	Feb 2	Dec 6
Moffett Federal Airfield, CA	39 ft	Jan 6	Dec 23

Frost dates near San Jose

San Jose, CA 95191 · last Jan 2, first Dec 25
Santa Clara, CA 95053 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
Campbell, CA 95011 · last Jan 2, first Dec 25
Los Gatos, CA 95032 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6
Sunnyvale, CA 94087 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
Milpitas, CA 95036 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
Saratoga, CA 95070 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6
Cupertino, CA 95014 · last Feb 2, first Dec 6

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in San Jose, CA?: For ZIP code 95126, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 2, 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 January 23.
When is the first frost in San Jose, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 95126?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 362 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.