Frost Dates for 93926 — Gonzales, California

Half of springs at Pinnacles Nm, CA see their last 32°F night by April 23; only one in ten is past it by March 23, and one in ten still has one after June 4. Planting tender crops after May 11 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after May 23 20%, and after June 4 10%. The 42 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 90% 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 3 in half of years, as early as October 7 one year in ten, and holds off past November 22 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 19 days later, around November 22; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is April 29, 36 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 189 days in a typical year, shorter than at 84% of the 219 California stations; it reaches 230 days one year in ten and falls short of 135 one year in ten. On average 67 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 35 days longer, to about May 28, and return around October 12. Nights of 24°F, cold enough to damage hardier plants, come in 90% of winters and 16°F in 7%.

July is the warmest month at Pinnacles Nm, CA, averaging 96°F by day and 50°F at night; December is the coldest at 62°F and 33°F. A freezing night is all but certain in every month from November to February (a 90% chance or more). From June to September the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, March still brings one in 89% of years and April still brings one in 74% of years and May still brings one in 31% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,934 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 63% of the 283 California stations. 34% of them (1,329) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 718. Precipitation totals 16.7 inches a year, most in January (3.5") and least in July (0.0"); May to September bring 5% of it.

The nearest other station, Salinas Municipal Airport, CA, 14 miles northwest of Gonzales and 1,233 feet lower, has a last frost 84 days earlier (January 29), a first frost 37 days later (December 10), a season 136 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Pinnacles Nm, CA, 13.7 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 93926 is 14 miles from Pinnacles Nm, CA, which stands at 1,307 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station; its figures are presented in full for 93960 (Soledad). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 93926 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.