Frost dates for 95988Willows, CA
The average last spring frost in Willows is February 21 and the average first fall frost is December 6, giving a typical growing season of about 289 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 21
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 6
- Growing season
- 289 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 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 25 · Apr 2 · Apr 25 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 7 | 233 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 4 · Feb 21 · Apr 9 | Nov 16 · Dec 6 · Dec 29 | 289 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 14 · Jan 5 · Feb 24 | Nov 30 · Dec 18 · Jan 27 | 348 days | 70% |
Planting calendar for Willows
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 | Jan 21 – Mar 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 10 – Jan 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 5 – Sep 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Apr 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Feb 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 26 – Dec 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 95988 is matched to the NOAA station Willows 6 W, CA, 4.1 km away, at 234 ft elevation (63 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willows 6 W, CA (used) | 234 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 6 |
| Orland, CA | 254 ft | Feb 25 | Dec 2 |
| Stony Gorge Rsvr, CA | 800 ft | Apr 5 | Nov 13 |
| East Park Rsvr, CA | 1,205 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Willows
- Artois, CA 95913 · last Feb 21, first Dec 6
- Glenn, CA 95943 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Orland, CA 95963 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
- Princeton, CA 95970 · last Feb 14, first Dec 1
- Maxwell, CA 95955 · last Feb 14, first Dec 1
- Butte City, CA 95920 · last Feb 14, first Dec 1
- Elk Creek, CA 95939 · last Apr 5, first Nov 13
- Hamilton City, CA 95951 · last Feb 25, first Dec 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Willows, CA?
- For ZIP code 95988, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Willows 6 W, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Willows, 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 95988?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 289 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.