Frost dates for 99574Cordova, AK
The average last spring frost in Cordova is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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) | Apr 30 · May 12 · May 31 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 19 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 8 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 3 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 20 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cordova
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 99574 is matched to the NOAA station Cordova N, AK, 2.2 km away, at 25 ft elevation (339 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cordova N, AK (used) | 25 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
| Cordova Wwtp, AK | 10 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Cordova M K Smith Ap, AK | 31 ft | May 23 | Sep 19 |
| Valdez Wso, AK | 95 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Cordova
- Tatitlek, AK 99677 · last Apr 30, first Oct 2
- Valdez, AK 99686 · last Apr 30, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cordova, AK?
- For ZIP code 99574, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cordova N, AK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Cordova, AK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 99574?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.