Frost dates for 95552Mad River, CA
The average last spring frost in Mad River is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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) | May 7 · May 30 · Jun 18 | Sep 11 · Sep 28 · Oct 14 | 119 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · May 3 · May 27 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Nov 1 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 11 · Apr 30 | Oct 8 · Oct 29 · Nov 23 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mad River
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95552 is matched to the NOAA station Weaverville, CA, 59 km away, at 2,058 ft elevation (846 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weaverville, CA (used) | 2,058 ft | May 3 | Oct 11 |
| Grizzly Creek Sp, CA | 413 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 22 |
| Big Bar 4 E, CA | 1,253 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 31 |
| Richardson Gr Sp, CA | 503 ft | Mar 10 | Dec 1 |
Frost dates near Mad River
- Zenia, CA 95595 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Blocksburg, CA 95514 · last Apr 16, first Oct 31
- Alderpoint, CA 95511 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Hayfork, CA 96041 · last May 3, first Oct 11
- Hyampom, CA 96046 · last Apr 16, first Oct 31
- Myers Flat, CA 95554 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Phillipsville, CA 95559 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
- Miranda, CA 95553 · last Mar 10, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mad River, CA?
- For ZIP code 95552, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Weaverville, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Mad River, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 95552?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.