Frost dates for 96125Sierra City, CA
The average last spring frost in Sierra City is May 12 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 9 · May 31 · Jun 17 | Sep 19 · Oct 11 · Oct 29 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 12 · Jun 2 | Oct 10 · Oct 29 · Nov 13 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 23 · May 19 | Oct 27 · Nov 13 · Nov 30 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sierra City
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96125 is matched to the NOAA station Bowman Dam, CA, 15.7 km away, at 5,385 ft elevation (642 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowman Dam, CA (used) | 5,385 ft | May 12 | Oct 29 |
| Downieville, CA | 2,915 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 25 |
| Portola, CA | 4,850 ft | Jun 11 | Sep 10 |
| Lake Spaulding, CA | 5,156 ft | May 22 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Sierra City
- Downieville, CA 95936 · last May 4, first Oct 30
- Clio, CA 96106 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Calpine, CA 96124 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Sierraville, CA 96126 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Alleghany, CA 95910 · last May 12, first Oct 29
- Goodyears Bar, CA 95944 · last Apr 28, first Oct 25
- Beckwourth, CA 96129 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
- Portola, CA 96122 · last Jun 11, first Sep 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sierra City, CA?
- For ZIP code 96125, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bowman Dam, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in Sierra City, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96125?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.