Frost dates for 96025Dunsmuir, CA
The average last spring frost in Dunsmuir is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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) | Apr 27 · May 11 · Jun 3 | Sep 23 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 23 · May 12 | Oct 9 · Oct 27 · Nov 10 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 31 · Apr 21 | Oct 28 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 225 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dunsmuir
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 | Mar 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96025 is matched to the NOAA station Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA, 3.3 km away, at 2,169 ft elevation (229 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA (used) | 2,169 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 27 |
| Mccloud, CA | 3,233 ft | May 28 | Sep 30 |
| Mt Shasta, CA | 3,613 ft | May 15 | Oct 6 |
| Mt Shasta, CA | 3,535 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Dunsmuir
- Castella, CA 96017 · last Apr 23, first Oct 27
- Mount Shasta, CA 96067 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Mccloud, CA 96057 · last May 28, first Sep 30
- Weed, CA 96094 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Lakehead, CA 96051 · last Apr 23, first Oct 27
- Gazelle, CA 96034 · last May 20, first Oct 5
- Trinity Center, CA 96091 · last May 15, first Oct 6
- Montgomery Creek, CA 96065 · last May 29, first Sep 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dunsmuir, CA?
- For ZIP code 96025, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Dunsmuir, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96025?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.