When is the last frost in Shasta, CA?

For ZIP code 96087, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 25.

When is the first frost in Shasta, CA?

The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.

How long is the growing season in 96087?

In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 304 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 96087Shasta, CA

The average last spring frost in Shasta is February 13 and the average first fall frost is December 13, giving a typical growing season of about 304 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost: Feb 13
Average first fall frost: Dec 13
Growing season: 304 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 18 · Mar 27 · Apr 20	Nov 6 · Nov 26 · Dec 15	245 days	100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)	Dec 30 · Feb 13 · Mar 25	Nov 20 · Dec 13 · Jan 19	304 days	96%
Hard freeze (28°F)	Dec 7 · Jan 3 · Feb 18	Nov 30 · Dec 25 · Feb 9	365 days	49%

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 96087 is matched to the NOAA station Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA, 2.6 km away, at 1,295 ft elevation (317 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

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

Frost dates near Shasta

Whiskeytown, CA 96095 · last Feb 13, first Dec 13
Shasta Lake, CA 96089 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28
Redding, CA 96001 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
French Gulch, CA 96033 · last Apr 23, first Oct 22
Palo Cedro, CA 96073 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
Anderson, CA 96007 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
Igo, CA 96047 · last Feb 13, first Dec 13
Obrien, CA 96070 · last Feb 8, first Dec 28

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Shasta, CA?: For ZIP code 96087, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Whiskeytown Rsvr, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 25.
When is the first frost in Shasta, CA?: The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 96087?: In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 304 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.