When is the last frost in Shasta Lake, CA?

For ZIP code 96079, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shasta Dam, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.

When is the first frost in Shasta Lake, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 96079?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 322 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.

Frost dates for 96079Shasta Lake, CA

The average last spring frost in Shasta Lake is February 8 and the average first fall frost is December 28, giving a typical growing season of about 322 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Feb 8
Average first fall frost: Dec 28
Growing season: 322 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.
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 6 · Mar 19 · Apr 16	Nov 16 · Dec 6 · Dec 30	263 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 26 · Feb 8 · Mar 28	Dec 1 · Dec 28 · Feb 18	322 days	87%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 14 · Jan 18 · Mar 14	Dec 10 · Jan 4 · Mar 10	365 days	27%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 96079 is matched to the NOAA station Shasta Dam, CA, 7.5 km away, at 1,075 ft elevation (124 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

Station	Elevation	Avg last frost	Avg first frost
Shasta Dam, CA (used)	1,075 ft	Feb 8	Dec 28
Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA	1,295 ft	Feb 13	Dec 13
Redding Muni Ap, CA	497 ft	Mar 3	Nov 21
Redding 12 Wnw, CA	1,418 ft	Mar 19	Nov 22

Frost dates near Shasta Lake

Shasta Lake, CA 96019 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28
Redding, CA 96049 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28
Obrien, CA 96070 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28
Palo Cedro, CA 96073 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
Shasta, CA 96087 · last Feb 13, first Dec 13
Whiskeytown, CA 96095 · last Feb 13, first Dec 13
Bella Vista, CA 96008 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28
Millville, CA 96062 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Shasta Lake, CA?: For ZIP code 96079, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shasta Dam, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
When is the first frost in Shasta Lake, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by December 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 96079?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 322 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.