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Frost Dates in Florida
First and last frost dates across Florida, computed from 71 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
Feb 1
statewide median · range Jan 16–Mar 21
First fall frost
Jan 5
statewide median · range Nov 12–Jan 19
Growing season
332 days
median · range 237–365
Stations used
71
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | Perrine 4W · 20 mi | Jan 18 (cautious: Feb 1) | Jan 13 | 365 days | Feb 1 |
| Orlando | Orlando Executive Ap · 3 mi | Jan 17 (cautious: Feb 9) | Jan 13 | 365 days | Jan 31 |
| Tampa | Tampa Intl Ap · 5 mi | Jan 20 (cautious: Feb 10) | Jan 12 | 365 days | Feb 3 |
| Jacksonville | Jacksonville Nas · 7 mi | Feb 1 (cautious: Mar 3) | Jan 5 | 330 days | Feb 15 |
How frost varies across Florida
Spring frost timing spans about 64 days across the state. Bradenton in eastern Florida typically sees its last spring frost around January 16, while Crestview in northwestern Florida doesn't clear frost until about March 21. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Florida
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 February 15 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 64-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 71 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 Florida?
The statewide median last spring frost is February 1, but it ranges from January 16 to March 21 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 Florida?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around February 15 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 Florida?
The median growing season across 71 NOAA stations is 332 days, ranging from 237 to 365 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Florida?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Florida, last spring frost dates span about 64 days — from around January 16 near Bradenton to March 21 near Crestview. 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.