Frost dates for 96140Carnelian Bay, CA
The average last spring frost in Carnelian Bay is June 9 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 108 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 9
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 108 days
Safer after Jun 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 218 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) | — | — | 73 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 26 · Jun 9 · Jun 25 | Sep 9 · Sep 25 · Oct 10 | 108 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 2 · May 24 · Jun 10 | Sep 23 · Oct 12 · Oct 28 | 143 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Carnelian Bay
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 | May 9 – Jul 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Aug 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 25 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jul 2 – Jul 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jul 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 26 – Jun 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 96140 is matched to the NOAA station Tahoe City, CA, 9.2 km away, at 6,230 ft elevation (115 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tahoe City, CA (used) | 6,230 ft | Jun 9 | Sep 25 |
| Truckee-Tahoe Ap, CA | 5,900 ft | — | — |
| Incline Village, NV | 6,356 ft | May 17 | Oct 13 |
| Truckee Rs, CA | 5,823 ft | — | — |
Frost dates near Carnelian Bay
- Tahoe Vista, CA 96148 · last Jun 9, first Sep 25
- Kings Beach, CA 96143 · last Jun 9, first Sep 25
- Crystal Bay, NV 89402 · last Jun 5, first Oct 9
- Tahoe City, CA 96145 · last Jun 9, first Sep 25
- Incline Village, NV 89452 · last May 17, first Oct 13
- Olympic Valley, CA 96146 · last Jun 9, first Sep 25
- Truckee, CA 96160 · last —, first —
- Floriston, CA 96111 · last —, first —
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carnelian Bay, CA?
- For ZIP code 96140, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tahoe City, CA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 25.
- When is the first frost in Carnelian Bay, CA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 96140?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 108 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.