Frost Dates for 96035 — Gerber, California

Half of springs at Red Bluff Municipal Airport, CA see their last 32°F night by February 22; only one in ten is past it by January 17, and one in ten still has one after March 30. Planting tender crops after March 5 leaves a 30% risk of a frost on them, after March 14 20%, and after March 30 10%. The 36 days between the even-odds date and the one-in-ten date is wider than at 75% 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 29 in half of years, as early as November 12 one year in ten, and holds off past December 18 one year in ten. A hard freeze of 28°F follows 16 days later, around December 15; in spring the one-in-ten date for 28°F is February 21, 37 days before the 32°F one. The freeze-free season lasts 281 days in a typical year, longer than at 52% of the 219 California stations; it reaches 321 days one year in ten and falls short of 242 one year in ten. On average 19 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 30, and return around November 15. A 24°F night is unusual: 35% of winters had one.

July is the warmest month at Red Bluff Municipal Airport, CA, averaging 98°F by day and 66°F at night; December is the coldest at 56°F and 38°F. A freezing night is all but certain in December (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 65% of years and March still brings one in 32% of years.

Warmth for growing adds up to 5,227 growing degree days a year (base 50°F), more than at 72% of the 283 California stations. 37% of them (1,917) have built up by the end of June, and July adds the most, 992. Precipitation totals 23.2 inches a year, most in January (4.7") and least in July (0.1"); May to September bring 9% of it.

The nearest other station, Orland, CA, 20 miles south of Gerber, has a last frost 3 days later (February 25), a first frost 3 days later (December 2), a season 2 days shorter.

Measurable snow is rare here: only 0 of 25 winters from 1991 to 2020 recorded 0.1 inch or more at Orland, CA, 20.4 miles away, so there is no typical first-snow date to plan around.

ZIP 96035 is 9 miles from Red Bluff Municipal Airport, CA, which stands at 353 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 96080 (Red Bluff). The 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map lists ZIP 96035 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.