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Frost Dates in Louisiana
First and last frost dates across Louisiana, computed from 50 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 28
statewide median · range Jan 23–Mar 30
First fall frost
Nov 25
statewide median · range Nov 5–Jan 9
Growing season
271 days
median · range 221–357
Stations used
50
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | New Orleans Audubon · 4 mi | Jan 24 (cautious: Feb 23) | Jan 2 | 341 days | Feb 7 |
| Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge Metro Ap · 6 mi | Feb 25 (cautious: Mar 19) | Nov 26 | 276 days | Mar 11 |
| Shreveport | Shreveport · 7 mi | Mar 9 (cautious: Mar 29) | Nov 18 | 255 days | Mar 23 |
How frost varies across Louisiana
Spring frost timing spans about 66 days across the state. Boothville Asos in southeastern Louisiana typically sees its last spring frost around January 23, while Homer in northwestern Louisiana doesn't clear frost until about March 30. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Louisiana
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 March 14 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 66-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 50 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 Louisiana?
The statewide median last spring frost is February 28, but it ranges from January 23 to March 30 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 Louisiana?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around March 14 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 Louisiana?
The median growing season across 50 NOAA stations is 271 days, ranging from 221 to 357 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Louisiana?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Louisiana, last spring frost dates span about 66 days — from around January 23 near Boothville Asos to March 30 near Homer. 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.