Frost dates for 95134San Jose, CA
The average last spring frost in San Jose 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
Safer after Feb 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Dec 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 50 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) | 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 95134 is matched to the NOAA station San Jose, CA, 5.7 km away, at 51 ft elevation (38 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 San Jose
- Santa Clara, CA 95056 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
- San Jose, CA 95164 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
- Alviso, CA 95002 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
- Milpitas, CA 95036 · last Jan 12, first Dec 22
- Sunnyvale, CA 94089 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
- Mountain View, CA 94043 · last Jan 6, first Dec 23
- Fremont, CA 94539 · last Jan 7, first Dec 22
- Campbell, CA 95011 · last Jan 2, first Dec 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in San Jose, CA?
- For ZIP code 95134, 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 San Jose, 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 95134?
- 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.