Frost Dates for 96021 — Corning, California

Half of springs at Orland, CA see their last 32°F night by February 25; only one in ten is past it by January 19, and one in ten still has one after April 6. Planting tender crops after March 12 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 24 20%, and after April 6 10%. The 40 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 85% 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 2 in half of years, as early as November 17 one year in ten, and holds off past December 21 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 14 days later, around December 16; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is February 24, 41 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 279 days in a typical year, longer than at 50% of the 219 California stations; it reaches 318 days one year in ten and falls short of 237 one year in ten. On average 16 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 3, and return around November 17. A 24°F night is unusual: 32% of winters had one.

July is the warmest month at Orland, CA, averaging 94°F by day and 63°F at night; December is the coldest at 57°F and 37°F. A freezing night is all but certain in December (a 90% chance or more). From May to October the chance of a 32°F night stays under 10% each month. In spring, February still brings one in 67% of years and March still brings one in 34% of years and April still brings one in 13% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 4,924 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 61% of the 283 California stations. 37% of them (1,845) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 891. Precipitation totals 21.3 inches a year, most in January (4.5") and least in July (0.0"); May to September bring 8% of it.

The nearest other station, Red Bluff Municipal Airport, CA, 16 miles north of Corning, has a last frost 3 days earlier (February 22), a first frost 3 days earlier (November 29), a season 2 days longer.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 25 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Orland, CA, 11.9 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 96021 is 12 miles from Orland, CA, which stands at 254 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 95963 (Orland). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 96021 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.