Frost Dates for 93263 — Shafter, California

Half of springs at Shafter 6E, CA see their last 32°F night by February 20; only one in ten is past it by January 17, and one in ten still has one after March 9. Planting tender crops after February 27 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 2 20%, and after March 9 10%. The 17 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is narrower than at 96% of the 220 California stations behind this site's ZIP pages.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 23 in half of years, as early as November 5 one year in ten, and holds off past December 9 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around December 6; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is February 22, 15 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 276 days in a typical year, shorter than at 51% of the 219 California stations; it reaches 312 days one year in ten and falls short of 248 one year in ten. On average 35 nights a year drop to 32°F or below. Nights of 36°F, when frost can still settle on leaves in low, open spots, continue 28 days longer, to about March 20, and return around November 7. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 55% of winters and 16°F in 2%.

August is the warmest month at Shafter 6E, CA, averaging 97°F by day and 63°F at night; December is the coldest at 60°F and 34°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from December to January (a 90% chance or more). From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, February still brings one in 71% of years and March still brings one in 23% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,071 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 65% of the 283 California stations. 38% of them (1,936) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 925. Precipitation totals 7.8 inches a year, most in February (1.5") and least in July (0.0"); May to September bring 6% of it.

The nearest other station, Wasco, CA, 8 miles northwest of Shafter, has a last frost 20 days earlier (January 31), a first frost 12 days later (December 5), a season 39 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Wasco, CA, 8.4 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 93263 is 7 miles from Shafter 6E, CA, which stands at 404 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 2 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 93312 (Bakersfield). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 93263 in zone 9a, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 20 to 25°F (-6.7 to -3.9°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.