Frost dates for 96057Mccloud, CA
The average last spring frost in Mccloud is May 28 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 123 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 28
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 123 days
Safer after Jun 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 213 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 30 · Jun 13 · Jun 27 | Aug 27 · Sep 12 · Sep 25 | 88 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 28 · Jun 15 | Sep 12 · Sep 30 · Oct 11 | 123 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 3 · May 28 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 162 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mccloud
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 27 – Jul 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96057 is matched to the NOAA station Mccloud, CA, 2.2 km away, at 3,233 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mccloud, CA (used) | 3,233 ft | May 28 | Sep 30 |
| Dunsmuir Trtmt Pl, CA | 2,169 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 27 |
| Mt Shasta, CA | 3,613 ft | May 15 | Oct 6 |
| Mt Shasta, CA | 3,535 ft | May 6 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Mccloud
- Dunsmuir, CA 96025 · last Apr 23, first Oct 27
- Mount Shasta, CA 96067 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Castella, CA 96017 · last Apr 23, first Oct 27
- Weed, CA 96094 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Big Bend, CA 96011 · last May 29, first Sep 19
- Montgomery Creek, CA 96065 · last May 29, first Sep 19
- Lakehead, CA 96051 · last Apr 23, first Oct 27
- Gazelle, CA 96034 · last May 20, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mccloud, CA?
- For ZIP code 96057, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mccloud, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 15.
- When is the first frost in Mccloud, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96057?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 123 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.