Frost dates for 96097Yreka, CA
The average last spring frost in Yreka is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 3 · May 22 · Jun 13 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 20 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Nov 2 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 12 · May 3 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 20 | 202 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Yreka
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96097 is matched to the NOAA station Yreka, CA, 2 km away, at 2,709 ft elevation (65 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yreka, CA (used) | 2,709 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| Montague Siskiyou Co Ap, CA | 2,635 ft | May 12 | Oct 8 |
| Copco #1 Dam, CA | 2,703 ft | May 4 | Oct 21 |
| Callahan, CA | 3,085 ft | May 20 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Yreka
- Montague, CA 96064 · last May 12, first Oct 8
- Grenada, CA 96038 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Klamath River, CA 96050 · last May 6, first Oct 8
- Hornbrook, CA 96044 · last May 12, first Oct 8
- Fort Jones, CA 96032 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Gazelle, CA 96034 · last May 20, first Oct 5
- Scott Bar, CA 96085 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Greenview, CA 96037 · last May 20, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Yreka, CA?
- For ZIP code 96097, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Yreka, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Yreka, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96097?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.