Frost dates for 99711Fairbanks, AK
The average last spring frost in Fairbanks is May 16 and the average first fall frost is September 6, giving a typical growing season of about 112 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 6
- Growing season
- 112 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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 14 · May 27 · Jun 8 | Aug 13 · Aug 27 · Sep 8 | 91 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 5 · May 16 · May 29 | Aug 25 · Sep 6 · Sep 20 | 112 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 7 · May 19 | Sep 4 · Sep 18 · Sep 30 | 133 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fairbanks
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – May 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – May 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 7 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 27 – May 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 99711 is matched to the NOAA station Aurora, AK, 2 km away, at 443 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, AK (used) | 443 ft | May 16 | Sep 6 |
| Fairbanks Midtown, AK | 440 ft | May 13 | Sep 10 |
| College Obsy, AK | 597 ft | May 18 | Sep 6 |
| University Exp Stn, AK | 475 ft | May 16 | Sep 8 |
Frost dates near Fairbanks
- Fairbanks, AK 99701 · last May 16, first Sep 6
- Fort Wainwright, AK 99703 · last May 16, first Sep 6
- North Pole, AK 99705 · last May 18, first Sep 5
- Ester, AK 99725 · last May 15, first Sep 16
- Eielson Afb, AK 99702 · last May 20, first Sep 1
- Two Rivers, AK 99716 · last May 30, first Sep 2
- Salcha, AK 99714 · last May 20, first Sep 1
- Fort Greely, AK 99731 · last May 17, first Sep 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fairbanks, AK?
- For ZIP code 99711, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Aurora, AK weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Fairbanks, AK?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 99711?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 112 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.