FrostDateByZip

Frost dates for 95742Rancho Cordova, CA

The average last spring frost in Rancho Cordova is January 12 and the average first fall frost is December 16, giving a typical growing season of about 341 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost
Jan 12

Safer after Feb 8 (1-in-10 risk)

Average first fall frost
Dec 16

Possible by Nov 28 (1-in-10 risk)

Growing season
341 days

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.

Spring dates: chance of a frost AFTER the date. Fall dates: chance of a frost BEFORE the date.
TemperatureLast spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chanceFirst fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chanceGrowing season (50%)Years with at least one
Light frost (36°F)Jan 9 · Feb 12 · Mar 11Nov 15 · Dec 1 · Dec 29289 days99%
Frost / freeze (32°F)Dec 18 · Jan 12 · Feb 8Nov 28 · Dec 16 · Jan 14341 days81%
Hard freeze (28°F)Dec 13 · Dec 31 · Jan 22Dec 5 · Dec 25 · Jan 14365 days25%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 95742 is matched to the NOAA station Sacramento 5 Ese, CA, 18.2 km away, at 38 ft elevation (156 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

StationElevationAvg last frostAvg first frost
Sacramento 5 Ese, CA (used)38 ftJan 12Dec 16
Sacramento Executive Ap, CA15 ftFeb 2Dec 2
Sacramento Metro Ap, CA23 ftFeb 22Nov 24
Placerville, CA1,850 ftMar 31Nov 21

Frost dates near Rancho Cordova

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Rancho Cordova, CA?
For ZIP code 95742, the average last spring frost (32°F) is January 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sacramento 5 Ese, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after February 8.
When is the first frost in Rancho Cordova, CA?
The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 95742?
In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 341 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.