Frost Dates for 95023 — Hollister, California

Half of springs at Hollister 2, CA see their last 32°F night by February 19; only one in ten is past it by January 10, and one in ten still has one after March 28. Planting tender crops after March 2 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 12 20%, and after March 28 10%. The 37 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 79% 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 1 in half of years, as early as November 12 one year in ten, and holds off past December 25 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 13 days later, around December 14; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is February 28, 28 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 287 days in a typical year, longer than at 57% of the 219 California stations; it reaches 328 days one year in ten and falls short of 247 one year in ten. On average 18 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 36 days longer, to about March 27, and return around November 15. A 24°F night is unusual: 34% of winters had one.

August is the warmest month at Hollister 2, CA, averaging 81°F by day and 54°F at night; December is the coldest at 59°F and 38°F. From April to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, February still brings one in 61% of years and March still brings one in 28% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 3,401 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), fewer than at 74% of the 283 California stations. 37% of them (1,257) have built up by the end of June, and August adds the most, 555. Precipitation totals 13.8 inches a year, most in January (3.1") and least in July (0.0"); May to September bring 4% of it.

The nearest other station, Gilroy, CA, 14 miles northwest of Hollister, has a last frost 5 days later (February 24), a first frost 4 days earlier (November 27), a season 10 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 1 of 20 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Hollister 2, CA, 2.5 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 95023 is 3 miles from Hollister 2, CA, which stands at 275 feet, the nearest NOAA station that publishes freeze probabilities for 1991–2020. 1 other ZIP code shares the station. The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 95023 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.