Frost Dates and Planting Windows in North Carolina

The 32°F frost dates at the 187 weather stations in North Carolina with NOAA's 1991–2020 Climate Normals, and the planting windows they give. These are long-term statistics, not a forecast. For the dates at the station nearest you, enter your ZIP code.

Frost dates across North Carolina

Each risk level uses a date with a set chance of frost. In spring, it's the chance of a 32°F frost on or after the last-frost date. In fall, it's the chance of the first 32°F frost on or before the first-frost date. At the Typical level (30%), the last frost ranges from March 9 to May 23 across the state, and the first frost from September 29 to December 10.

At 1 of these 187 stations, 32°F isn't reached every year. Its frost dates describe only the years when it is reached, and the ranges on this page include it.

32°F frost dates: earliest and latest among 187 stations, by risk level
Risk level	Earliest last frost	Latest last frost	Earliest first frost	Latest first frost
Conservative (10%)	March 213 stations	May 31MT MITCHELL, NC US	September 20MT MITCHELL, NC US	November 292 stations
Typical (30%)	March 92 stations	May 23MT MITCHELL, NC US	September 29MT MITCHELL, NC US	December 10CAPE HATTERAS AP, NC US
Aggressive (50%)	March 12 stations	May 16MT MITCHELL, NC US	October 4MT MITCHELL, NC US	December 22CAPE HATTERAS AP, NC US

Growing season length

The growing season is the stretch between the last spring frost and the first fall frost at 32°F. NOAA gives it as a length with a chance of being at least that long. Each risk level uses the length with that chance of a shorter season, so Conservative shows the shortest lengths.

Growing season at 32°F: shortest and longest among 187 stations
Risk level	Shortest	Longest
Conservative (90% chance of at least this long)	120 daysMT MITCHELL, NC US	265 daysOCRACOKE, NC US
Typical (70% chance of at least this long)	132 daysMT MITCHELL, NC US	282 daysOCRACOKE, NC US
Aggressive (50% chance of at least this long)	140 daysMT MITCHELL, NC US	293 daysOCRACOKE, NC US

Number of stations by growing season length, Typical (70% chance of at least this long)
Growing season	Stations
120–139 days	1
140–159 days	9
160–179 days	22
180–199 days	38
200–219 days	73
220–239 days	35
240–259 days	4
260–279 days	3
280–299 days	2

Planting windows across North Carolina

For each crop, the earliest start and the latest end of its Typical windows among the stations. A window at any one station is shorter and falls inside this span. Transplant dates are for seedlings.

Typical planting windows (30% frost dates): earliest start and latest end among stations
Crop and task	Earliest start	Latest end	Stations
Basil: Transplant outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187
Bean: Sow outdoors	March 9	May 23	187 of 187
Beet: Sow outdoors	February 9	May 23	187 of 187
Beet: Sow for fall	July 7	October 21	187 of 187
Broccoli: Transplant outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Broccoli: Transplant for fall	June 27	October 21	187 of 187
Brussels sprouts: Transplant outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Brussels sprouts: Transplant for fall	June 7	October 31	187 of 187
Cabbage: Transplant outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Cabbage: Transplant for fall	June 22	October 21	187 of 187
Cantaloupe: Transplant outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187
Cantaloupe: Sow outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187
Carrot: Sow outdoors	February 9	May 23	187 of 187
Carrot: Sow for fall	June 27	October 11	187 of 187
Cucumber: Transplant outdoors	March 16	May 30	187 of 187
Cucumber: Sow outdoors	March 9	May 23	187 of 187
Eggplant: Transplant outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187
Garlic: Plant for fall	September 29	December 24	187 of 187
Lettuce: Transplant outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Lettuce: Sow outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Lettuce: Sow for fall	June 27	October 31	187 of 187
Onion: Transplant or plant sets	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Peas: Sow outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Peas: Sow for fall	July 5	October 21	187 of 187
Pepper: Transplant outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187
Potato: Plant seed potatoes	February 9	May 23	187 of 187
Pumpkin: Sow outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187
Radish: Sow outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Radish: Sow for fall	August 11	November 20	187 of 187
Spinach: Transplant outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Spinach: Sow outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Spinach: Sow for fall	July 17	November 3	187 of 187
Summer squash: Transplant outdoors	March 16	May 30	187 of 187
Summer squash: Sow outdoors	March 9	May 23	187 of 187
Sweet corn: Sow outdoors	March 9	May 23	187 of 187
Sweet potato: Plant slips	March 16	June 6	187 of 187
Tomato: Transplant outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187
Turnip: Sow outdoors	February 9	May 9	187 of 187
Turnip: Sow for fall	July 17	October 31	187 of 187
Watermelon: Transplant outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187
Watermelon: Sow outdoors	March 23	June 6	187 of 187

Weather stations in North Carolina

Every station in North Carolina with NOAA frost-date normals, with its Typical 32°F frost dates and growing season.

Typical (30%) 32°F frost dates by station
Station	Elevation	Last frost	First frost	Growing season
ALBEMARLE, NC US	610 ft	April 4	October 31	211 days
ANDREWS, NC US	1,750 ft	April 23	October 18	181 days
APEX, NC US	450 ft	April 3	November 3	219 days
ARCOLA, NC US	330 ft	April 9	October 29	207 days
ASHEBORO 2 W, NC US	870 ft	April 13	October 25	199 days
ASHEVILLE 13 S, NC US	2,100 ft	April 24	October 17	180 days
ASHEVILLE 8 SSW, NC US	2,150 ft	May 1	October 12	166 days
ASHEVILLE RGNL AP, NC US	2,120 ft	April 17	October 22	192 days
ASHEVILLE, NC US	2,240 ft	April 13	October 26	197 days
ATLANTIC BEACH WTP, NC US	0 ft	March 10	December 4	274 days
AURORA 6 N, NC US	20 ft	March 17	November 28	260 days
BANNER ELK, NC US	3,770 ft	May 7	October 9	158 days
BAYBORO 3 SW, NC US	0 ft	April 5	November 2	215 days
BEAUFORT MICHAEL J SMITH FLD, NC US	10 ft	March 17	November 21	254 days
BEECH MTN, NC US	5,050 ft	May 12	October 8	151 days
BELHAVEN 3 NE, NC US	0 ft	March 31	November 5	224 days
BENT CREEK, NC US	2,110 ft	May 2	October 12	166 days
BLACK MTN 2 W, NC US	2,290 ft	April 27	October 16	175 days
BLOWING ROCK 1NW, NC US	3,850 ft	May 3	October 14	168 days
BOONE 1 SE, NC US	3,100 ft	May 10	October 8	154 days
BREVARD, NC US	2,170 ft	April 27	October 18	176 days
BRYSON CITY 4, NC US	1,980 ft	April 23	October 18	181 days
BURLINGTON ALAMANCE AP, NC US	620 ft	April 7	October 29	207 days
BURLINGTON FIRE STN #5, NC US	660 ft	April 4	November 3	217 days
BURNSVILLE AG, NC US	2,830 ft	May 2	October 13	170 days
CANDLER 1 W, NC US	2,240 ft	April 26	October 17	176 days
CANE CREEK RSVR, NC US	520 ft	April 13	October 28	202 days
CAPE HATTERAS AP, NC US32°F is reached in 99.7% of years here. Its frost dates describe only those years.	10 ft	March 13	December 10	278 days
CARTHAGE WTP, NC US	440 ft	April 9	November 1	210 days
CARY, NC US	390 ft	April 4	November 4	218 days
CATALOOCHEE, NC US	2,650 ft	May 5	October 8	157 days
CATAWBA 5 SW, NC US	1,020 ft	March 31	November 3	220 days
CEDAR IS, NC US	10 ft	March 19	November 22	252 days
CELO 2 S, NC US	2,700 ft	May 3	October 9	162 days
CHAPEL HILL 2 W, NC US	500 ft	April 5	October 30	211 days
CHAPEL HILL WILLIAMS AP, NC US	510 ft	April 4	November 1	213 days
CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AP, NC US	730 ft	April 5	October 30	212 days
CHATHAM WTP, NC US	310 ft	April 8	November 3	213 days
CHEROKEE, NC US	1,960 ft	April 23	October 15	177 days
CHERRY POINT MCAS, NC US	30 ft	March 27	November 15	238 days
CLAYTON 3E, NC US	330 ft	April 3	November 3	217 days
CLAYTON WTP, NC US	300 ft	April 13	October 30	203 days
CLINTON 2 NE, NC US	160 ft	April 1	November 1	219 days
COLUMBIA AG GUM NECK, NC US	10 ft	April 3	November 7	221 days
CONCORD, NC US	700 ft	April 6	October 28	206 days
COWEETA EXP STN, NC US	2,250 ft	May 1	October 11	165 days
CULLOWHEE, NC US	2,190 ft	April 26	October 16	176 days
DANBURY, NC US	1,020 ft	April 17	October 25	194 days
DUNN 4 NW, NC US	200 ft	April 2	November 2	217 days
DURHAM 11 W, NC US	560 ft	April 6	October 31	208 days
DURHAM, NC US	400 ft	April 9	November 1	208 days
EDEN, NC US	680 ft	April 16	October 24	193 days
EDENTON, NC US	10 ft	March 31	November 8	229 days
ELIZABETH CITY CGAS, NC US	10 ft	April 3	November 5	221 days
ELIZABETH CITY, NC US	10 ft	April 3	November 11	226 days
ELIZABETHTOWN, NC US	120 ft	April 4	November 3	218 days
ELKIN, NC US	910 ft	April 22	October 21	186 days
ENKA, NC US	2,050 ft	April 17	October 19	186 days
FAIRFIELD, NC US	0 ft	April 13	October 30	202 days
FALLS LAKE, NC US	280 ft	April 10	October 30	205 days
FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US	100 ft	April 5	November 4	217 days
FAYETTEVILLE RGNL AP, NC US	190 ft	March 30	November 7	226 days
FLAT SPRINGS 1E, NC US	3,330 ft	April 25	October 19	180 days
FLETCHER 3 W, NC US	2,070 ft	April 24	October 15	177 days
FOREST CITY 8 W, NC US	850 ft	April 18	October 21	189 days
FRANKLIN, NC US	2,130 ft	April 24	October 17	178 days
FRISCO 2NNE, NC US	0 ft	March 9	December 9	281 days
GARNER, NC US	330 ft	April 6	October 27	205 days
GASTONIA MUNI AP, NC US	800 ft	March 31	November 3	221 days
GASTONIA, NC US	700 ft	April 1	November 3	219 days
GOLDSBORO 4 SE, NC US	110 ft	March 23	November 11	239 days
GOLDSBORO AG 1 N, NC US	110 ft	April 3	November 7	221 days
GRANDFATHER MTN, NC US	5,280 ft	May 11	October 6	152 days
GREENSBORO WTP, NC US	770 ft	April 5	October 31	210 days
GREENVILLE, NC US	30 ft	April 2	November 3	218 days
HAMLET, NC US	350 ft	April 5	October 30	211 days
HAW RVR 1E, NC US	640 ft	April 10	October 30	207 days
HAYESVILLE 1 NE, NC US	1,790 ft	April 27	October 16	175 days
HENDERSON 2 NNW, NC US	480 ft	April 21	October 21	186 days
HENDERSON 4 NNE, NC US	500 ft	April 3	November 3	219 days
HENDERSONVILLE 1 NE, NC US	2,160 ft	April 20	October 19	184 days
HICKORY FAA AP, NC US	1,140 ft	April 5	October 30	211 days
HIGH PT, NC US	900 ft	April 5	October 31	211 days
HIGHLANDS, NC US	3,850 ft	May 6	October 10	159 days
HOFMANN FOREST, NC US	50 ft	April 14	October 25	196 days
HOT SPRINGS, NC US	1,350 ft	April 18	October 23	192 days
JACKSON SPRINGS 5 WNW, NC US	730 ft	April 2	November 6	225 days
JACKSON, NC US	120 ft	April 11	October 28	203 days
JACKSONVILLE EOC, NC US	20 ft	April 6	November 3	216 days
JEFFERSON 2 E, NC US	2,760 ft	May 14	October 3	145 days
KINSTON 7 SE, NC US	20 ft	April 6	October 31	208 days
KINSTON AG RSCH, NC US	60 ft	March 31	November 4	222 days
LAKE LURE 2, NC US	1,040 ft	April 11	October 24	200 days
LAKE TOXAWAY 2 SW, NC US	3,200 ft	April 22	October 21	185 days
LAURINBURG MAXTON AP, NC US	220 ft	April 1	November 2	218 days
LAURINBURG, NC US	210 ft	March 31	November 7	229 days
LENOIR, NC US	1,150 ft	April 15	October 26	197 days
LEWISTON, NC US	50 ft	April 4	November 2	215 days
LEXINGTON, NC US	760 ft	April 17	October 22	190 days
LILLINGTON, NC US	150 ft	April 5	November 2	213 days
LINCOLNTON 4 W, NC US	890 ft	April 17	October 22	192 days
LONGWOOD, NC US	40 ft	April 2	November 4	222 days
LOUISBURG, NC US	260 ft	April 17	October 23	193 days
LUMBER RVR SP, NC US	100 ft	April 7	November 1	210 days
LUMBERTON MUNI AP, NC US	120 ft	April 1	November 4	223 days
LUMBERTON, NC US	110 ft	March 31	November 4	224 days
MANTEO AP, NC US	10 ft	March 22	November 30	256 days
MARION, NC US	1,410 ft	April 11	October 27	201 days
MARSHALL, NC US	1,920 ft	May 4	October 13	164 days
MOCKSVILLE 5SE, NC US	680 ft	April 22	October 20	183 days
MONROE 2 SE, NC US	550 ft	April 8	October 28	205 days
MONROE AP, NC US	680 ft	April 6	November 1	211 days
MOORES CREEK NB, NC US	20 ft	April 3	November 2	218 days
MOREHEAD CITY 2 WNW, NC US	10 ft	March 27	November 14	238 days
MORGANTON, NC US	1,180 ft	April 15	October 22	194 days
MT AIRY 2 W, NC US	1,080 ft	April 27	October 17	177 days
MT MITCHELL, NC US	6,240 ft	May 23	September 29	132 days
MT OLIVE 6SE, NC US	160 ft	April 2	November 2	217 days
MURFREESBORO, NC US	100 ft	April 13	October 28	199 days
MURPHY 4ESE, NC US	1,600 ft	April 30	October 15	173 days
N FK 2, NC US	2,480 ft	April 11	October 25	200 days
N WILKESBORO, NC US	1,120 ft	April 16	October 24	192 days
NEW BERN CRAVEN CO AP, NC US	20 ft	March 30	November 8	228 days
NEW HILL, NC US	320 ft	April 13	October 31	202 days
NEW RIVER MCAF, NC US	30 ft	March 31	November 9	230 days
NEWPORT/MOREHEAD CITY WFO, NC US	30 ft	March 31	November 9	226 days
OCRACOKE, NC US	0 ft	March 9	December 9	282 days
OLD FT AG 3 W, NC US	1,420 ft	April 29	October 17	174 days
OXFORD AG, NC US	500 ft	April 4	November 1	214 days
PERRYTOWN, NC US	30 ft	March 27	November 14	236 days
PFAFFTOWN, NC US	950 ft	April 15	October 26	196 days
PIEDMONT TRIAD INTL AP, NC US	890 ft	April 5	November 1	212 days
PISGAH FOREST 3 NE, NC US	2,190 ft	April 26	October 17	175 days
PLYMOUTH 5 E, NC US	20 ft	April 6	November 2	213 days
RAEFORD, NC US	250 ft	April 10	October 29	206 days
RALEIGH 4 SW, NC US	420 ft	April 3	November 4	218 days
RALEIGH DURHAM INTL AP, NC US	420 ft	April 6	October 31	210 days
RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US	400 ft	April 3	November 4	219 days
RANDLEMAN, NC US	810 ft	April 3	November 1	215 days
REELSBORO, NC US	40 ft	March 28	November 10	233 days
REIDSVILLE 2 NW, NC US	890 ft	April 10	October 28	204 days
RICHLANDS, NC US	20 ft	April 10	November 1	205 days
ROANOKE RAPIDS AP, NC US	260 ft	April 1	November 6	222 days
ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC US	210 ft	April 6	November 4	214 days
ROBBINSVILLE AG 5 NE, NC US	2,330 ft	April 20	October 20	185 days
ROCKY MT 8 ESE, NC US	110 ft	April 4	November 2	215 days
ROCKY MT WILSON AP, NC US	160 ft	April 7	November 1	211 days
ROXBORO 7 ESE, NC US	710 ft	April 21	October 20	186 days
RURAL HALL, NC US	960 ft	April 12	October 25	200 days
SALISBURY 9 WNW, NC US	730 ft	April 14	October 23	195 days
SALISBURY, NC US	700 ft	April 13	October 25	198 days
SANFORD 8 NE, NC US	260 ft	April 16	October 24	194 days
SHALLOTTE AG, NC US	20 ft	March 27	November 11	233 days
SHELBY 2 NW, NC US	820 ft	April 19	October 19	186 days
SILER CITY 2 N, NC US	610 ft	April 5	October 31	211 days
SMITHFIELD, NC US	150 ft	April 5	October 31	211 days
SNOW HILL WASTE WATER TREAMENT, NC US	40 ft	April 1	November 6	223 days
SOUTHPORT 5 N, NC US	20 ft	March 31	November 9	228 days
SPARTA 3.5 SSW, NC US	3,010 ft	April 30	October 16	170 days
SPRUCE PINE 2 NE, NC US	2,850 ft	May 2	October 14	168 days
STATESVILLE 2 NNE, NC US	800 ft	April 21	October 21	184 days
SURF CITY, NC US	20 ft	April 1	November 6	225 days
SWANNANOA 2 SSE, NC US	4,320 ft	April 30	October 19	175 days
SWANQUARTER FERRY, NC US	0 ft	March 24	November 17	243 days
TAPOCO, NC US	1,110 ft	April 24	October 21	184 days
TARBORO 1 S, NC US	40 ft	April 3	November 3	218 days
TAYLORSVILLE, NC US	1,320 ft	April 9	October 30	208 days
TRANSOU, NC US	2,830 ft	May 11	October 4	148 days
TRYON, NC US	1,320 ft	April 1	November 5	222 days
VALE AG 2 SW, NC US	980 ft	April 19	October 23	191 days
W KERR SCOTT RESV, NC US	1,070 ft	April 13	October 27	199 days
WADESBORO, NC US	480 ft	March 31	November 3	222 days
WALLACE 1SE, NC US	40 ft	April 7	November 1	211 days
WARSAW 5 E, NC US	110 ft	April 13	October 24	197 days
WASHINGTON WWTP 4W, NC US	10 ft	March 29	November 9	228 days
WATERVILLE 2, NC US	1,430 ft	April 13	October 27	203 days
WAYNESVILLE 1 E, NC US	2,660 ft	May 7	October 10	159 days
WHITEVILLE 7 NW, NC US	90 ft	April 4	November 1	216 days
WILLARD 4 SW, NC US	60 ft	April 8	November 1	209 days
WILLIAMSTON 1 E, NC US	20 ft	March 28	November 6	229 days
WILMINGTON 7 N, NC US	40 ft	April 3	November 3	217 days
WILMINGTON 7 SE, NC US	30 ft	March 29	November 8	231 days
WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US	30 ft	March 26	November 13	236 days
WILSON 3 SW, NC US	110 ft	March 30	November 6	226 days
WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US	970 ft	April 2	November 3	219 days
YADKINVILLE 6 E, NC US	880 ft	April 22	October 20	183 days
YANCEYVILLE 4 SE, NC US	630 ft	April 5	October 31	211 days

Data sources

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, frost dates, 1991–2020 normals, version 1.0.1: Files: us-climate-normals_1991-2020_v1.0.1_annualseasonal_multivariate_by-station_c20230404.tar.gz, inventory_30yr.txt from NOAA NCEI. Retrieved October 10, 2026.