First & Last Frost Date Chart
Posted By American Meadows Content Team on Sep 27, 2012 · Revised on Sep 21, 2026
Posted By American Meadows Content Team on Sep 27, 2012 · Revised on Sep 21, 2026
In most parts of the U.S., the first fall frost arrives between September and December depending on your region, and the last spring frost falls between February and May.
Your first fall frost date marks the end of your growing season. Your last spring frost date marks the beginning. Use the charts below to find both for your USDA zone and city, then scroll down for tips on what different types of frost mean for your plants.
When late fall arrives, you may start to see frost on the ground when you look out the window in the morning. Depending on how cold it is, you may see some frost before you see a freeze. A frost and a freeze are not the same thing, and the difference matters for your plants. Here's what each term means:
No. The changing color of leaves during fall is a completely separate phenomenon from the falling temperatures. Leaf color change is caused by the shortening of days from summer to fall. Interestingly, the brilliant fall color is there all summer, but until fall, it is hidden by the production of (green) chlorophyll. As days shorten in fall, leaves shut down their chlorophyll production, and their real pigments are revealed.
Average frost dates by zone include data for a wide range of climates and locations. These dates can vary year by year. You'll also want to keep an eye on the season's weather trends for your area.
Not sure what zone you're in? See our guide: USDA Hardiness Zones & Finding Your Zone
| Zone | Average First Frost Date | Average Last Frost Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 25-31 | May 22-June 4 |
| 2 | September 1-8 | May 15-22 |
| 3 | September 8-15Â | May 1-16 |
| 4 | September 21-October 7 | April 24-May 12 |
| 5 | October 13-21 | April 7-30 |
| 6 | October 17-31 | April 1-21 |
| 7 | October 29-November 15 | March 22-April 3 |
| 8 | November 7-28 | March 13-28 |
| 9 | November 25-December 13 | February 6-28 |
| 10 | December 15 - December 31 | January 1 - January 15 |
| 11+ | No usual frost | No usual frost |
The chart below includes average frost dates for cities across the U.S. Find the cities near you for a good estimate of your frost dates. These dates can vary year by year, usually within about a two-week window.
| City, State | First Fall Frost Date | Last Spring Frost Date |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | November 18 | March 17 |
| Baltimore, MD | November 17 | March 20 |
| Bismarck, ND | September 24 | May 12 |
| Boise, ID | October 17 | April 20 |
| Boston, MA | November 8 | April 6 |
| Buffalo, NY | October 25 | May 5 |
| Burlington, VT | October 8 | May 4 |
| Caribou, ME | September 21 | May 12 |
| Charleston, SC | December 10 | February 6 |
| Charleston, WV | October 5 | April 16 |
| Cheyenne, WY | September 27 | May 13 |
| Chicago, IL | October 28 | April 12 |
| Cincinnati, OH | October 25 | April 17 |
| Cleveland, OH | October 20 | April 8 |
| Columbia, SC | November 20 | March 15 |
| Dallax, TX | November 30 | March 4 |
| Denver, CO | October 14 | April 30 |
| Detroit, MI | October 20 | April 18 |
| Houston, TX | December 11 | February 3 |
| Indianapolis, IN | October 27 | April 19 |
| Jacksonville, FL | December 16 | February 6 |
| Kansas City, MO | November 2 | April 4 |
| Las Vegas, NV | December 4 | February 6 |
| Miami, FL | no frost | no frost |
| Milwaukee, WI | October 25 | April 22 |
| Minneapolis, MN | October 13 | April 23 |
| Mobile, AL | December 12 | February 26 |
| Nashville, TN | November 7 | April 6 |
| Newark, NJ | November 8 | April 3 |
| New Orleans, LA | December 23 | February 4 |
| New York, NY | November 12 | April 1 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | November 7 | March 27 |
| Philadelphia, PA | November 17 | March 31 |
| Phoenix, AZ | December 11 | January 6 |
| Pittsfield, MA | October 4 | May 7 |
| Portland, OR | December 1 | February 26 |
| Providence, RI | October 27 | April 13 |
| Raleigh, NC | November 16 | April 1 |
| Richmond, VA | November 8 | April 4 |
| Sacramento, CA | December 10 | February 9 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | November 6 | April 10 |
| Seattle, WA | December 1 | April 6 |
| St. Louis, MO | November 8 | April 9 |
| Washington, DC | November 17 | March 28 |
When frost is in the forecast, a little preparation can protect your plants and, in some cases, extend your growing season. Particularly if you get an early frost with predicted warm weather following.
Taking the extra time to protect your plants can sometimes give you a few more weeks in the garden:
With a killing frost, tender annuals are killed down. Perennials will show damage on their leaves, buds, and blooms. Some fall wildflowers are exceptions, with special traits that keep them blooming so they can fulfill their botanical objective of ripening their flowers into seeds. Many sunflowers and asters bloom right through the first frosts.
Learn more about plant lifecycles: The Difference Between Annuals, Perennials, & Biennials
