Frost Dates for 93609 — Caruthers, California

Half of springs at Lemoore Reeves NAS, CA see their last 32°F night by February 24; only one in ten is past it by January 21, and one in ten still has one after March 30. Planting tender crops after March 8 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 17 20%, and after March 30 10%. The 34 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 65% of the 220 California stations behind this site's ZIP pages, so a fixed calendar date is a gamble here.

In fall the first 32°F night comes by November 22 in half of years, as early as November 3 one year in ten, and holds off past December 10 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 12 days later, around December 4; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is February 25, 33 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 265 days in a typical year, shorter than at 60% of the 219 California stations; it reaches 308 days one year in ten and falls short of 230 one year in ten. On average 29 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 37 days longer, to about April 2, and return around November 8. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 56% of winters and 16°F in 2%.

July is the warmest month at Lemoore Reeves NAS, CA, averaging 98°F by day and 63°F at night; December is the coldest at 56°F and 36°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 36% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,150 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 68% of the 283 California stations. 38% of them (1,963) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 941. Precipitation totals 7.1 inches a year, most in January (1.5") and least in June (0.0"); May to September bring 6% of it.

The nearest other station, Fresno 5 NE, CA, 18 miles northeast of Caruthers, has a last frost 25 days earlier (January 30), a first frost 19 days later (December 11), a season 54 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 30 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, CA, 18.1 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 93609 is 15 miles from Lemoore Reeves NAS, CA, which stands at 232 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 3 other ZIP codes share the station; its figures are presented in full for 93245 (Lemoore). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 93609 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.