Frost Dates for 93907 — Salinas, California

Half of springs at Salinas #2, CA see their last 32°F night by February 4; only one in ten is past it by December 25, and one in ten still has one after March 11. Planting tender crops after February 21 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after February 28 20%, and after March 11 10%. The 35 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 71% 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 December 6 in half of years, as early as November 18 one year in ten, and holds off past January 5 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around December 19; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is January 28, 42 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 311 days in a typical year, longer than at 69% of the 219 California stations; it reaches 348 days one year in ten and falls short of 268 one year in ten. On average 7 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 49 days longer, to about March 25, and return around November 19. A 24°F night is unusual: 3% of winters had one.

September is the warmest month at Salinas #2, CA, averaging 75°F by day and 53°F at night; December is the coldest at 62°F and 40°F. From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, February still brings one in 42% of years and March still brings one in 17% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 2,973 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 84% of the 283 California stations. 39% of them (1,148) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 414. Precipitation totals 15.6 inches a year, most in January (3.3") and least in July (0.0"); May to September bring 4% of it.

The nearest other station, Salinas Municipal Airport, CA, 7 miles southeast of Salinas, has a last frost 6 days earlier (January 29), a first frost 4 days later (December 10), a season 14 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Salinas #2, CA, 6.5 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 93907 is 7 miles from Salinas #2, CA, which stands at 45 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 93901 (Salinas). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 93907 in zone 9b, the band where the coldest night of the year averaged 25 to 30°F (-3.9 to -1.1°C) over 1991–2020; a zone describes winter lows, not frost dates.