Frost dates for 96027Etna, CA
The average last spring frost in Etna is May 20 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 135 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 135 days
Safer after Jun 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 24 · Jun 11 · Jul 2 | Sep 4 · Sep 17 · Oct 3 | 96 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 20 · Jun 12 | Sep 20 · Oct 5 · Oct 22 | 135 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 28 · May 21 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 10 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Etna
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 19 – Jun 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jul 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – May 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96027 is matched to the NOAA station Callahan, CA, 19.6 km away, at 3,085 ft elevation (2,775 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callahan, CA (used) | 3,085 ft | May 20 | Oct 5 |
| Cecilville, CA | 2,310 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 21 |
| Yreka, CA | 2,709 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| Orleans, CA | 403 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 26 |
Frost dates near Etna
- Greenview, CA 96037 · last May 20, first Oct 5
- Callahan, CA 96014 · last May 20, first Oct 5
- Fort Jones, CA 96032 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Forks Of Salmon, CA 96031 · last Apr 27, first Oct 21
- Scott Bar, CA 96085 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Somes Bar, CA 95568 · last Apr 27, first Oct 21
- Gazelle, CA 96034 · last May 20, first Oct 5
- Yreka, CA 96097 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Etna, CA?
- For ZIP code 96027, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Callahan, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 12.
- When is the first frost in Etna, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96027?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 135 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.