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Frost Dates in Alabama
First and last frost dates across Alabama, computed from 65 NOAA weather stations (1991–2020 climate normals). Your exact date depends on your city and microclimate — use the ZIP lookup on the main tool for a station-specific answer.
Last spring frost
Mar 21
statewide median · range Jan 31–Apr 11
First fall frost
Nov 10
statewide median · range Oct 27–Jan 6
Growing season
233 days
median · range 198–340
Stations used
65
NOAA 1991–2020 normals
Frost dates by city
Median dates from the nearest NOAA station to each city. The "cautious" date is the 10% spring value — planting after it means only a ~10% chance of a later frost.
| City | Nearest station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Growing season | Safe transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | Birmingham Ap · 4 mi | Mar 21 (cautious: Apr 8) | Nov 11 | 236 days | Apr 4 |
| Montgomery | Montgomery Ap · 8 mi | Mar 13 (cautious: Mar 31) | Nov 13 | 244 days | Mar 27 |
| Huntsville | Huntsville Intnl Ap · 13 mi | Mar 24 (cautious: Apr 8) | Nov 8 | 229 days | Apr 7 |
| Mobile | Mobile Dwtn Ap · 6 mi | Feb 21 (cautious: Mar 15) | Dec 6 | 292 days | Mar 7 |
How frost varies across Alabama
Spring frost timing spans about 70 days across the state. Dauphin Is #2 in southwestern Alabama typically sees its last spring frost around January 31, while Hamilton in northwestern Alabama doesn't clear frost until about April 11. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Alabama
As a rule of thumb, cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, spinach) can go in 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost; warm-season transplants (tomatoes, peppers) should wait about 2 weeks after it — around April 4 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 70-day statewide spread makes the city-level date the one that matters.
These are climate normals (what's typical), not forecasts. For the current year, watch the 10-day forecast around your planting date.
How this is computed
Statewide medians are the median of the 65 NOAA stations' median frost dates — half the stations run earlier, half later. City rows use the nearest station with 30-year freeze records. Dates are 32°F freeze probabilities from NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals; nothing is estimated or interpolated.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost date in Alabama?
The statewide median last spring frost is March 21, but it ranges from January 31 to April 11 depending on where in the state you are. Use your city's row in the table above, or the ZIP lookup on the main tool, for a station-specific date.
When can I plant tomatoes outside in Alabama?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around April 4 for the statewide median. Your city may differ by weeks; check the "safe transplant" column in the city table.
How long is the growing season in Alabama?
The median growing season across 65 NOAA stations is 233 days, ranging from 198 to 340 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Alabama?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Alabama, last spring frost dates span about 70 days — from around January 31 near Dauphin Is #2 to April 11 near Hamilton. Microclimates (low spots, valleys, urban heat) shift dates further at the garden level.
Where does this data come from?
All frost dates are computed from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals freeze data (public domain), using each station's 32°F freeze probability statistics. No dates are estimated or interpolated.