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Frost Dates in North Carolina
First and last frost dates across North Carolina, computed from 96 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 31
statewide median · range Mar 1–May 16
First fall frost
Nov 4
statewide median · range Oct 4–Dec 22
Growing season
220 days
median · range 140–293
Stations used
96
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | Charlotte Douglas Ap · 6 mi | Mar 30 (cautious: Apr 14) | Nov 3 | 221 days | Apr 13 |
| Raleigh | Raleigh State Univ · 3 mi | Mar 28 (cautious: Apr 12) | Nov 8 | 229 days | Apr 11 |
| Greensboro | Greensboro Ap · 9 mi | Mar 30 (cautious: Apr 14) | Nov 5 | 220 days | Apr 13 |
| Asheville | Asheville · 1 mi | Apr 6 (cautious: Apr 24) | Oct 31 | 205 days | Apr 20 |
How frost varies across North Carolina
Spring frost timing spans about 76 days across the state. Ocracoke in eastern North Carolina typically sees its last spring frost around March 1, while Mt Mitchell in northwestern North Carolina doesn't clear frost until about May 16. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in North Carolina
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 14 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 76-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 96 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 North Carolina?
The statewide median last spring frost is March 31, but it ranges from March 1 to May 16 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 North Carolina?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around April 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 North Carolina?
The median growing season across 96 NOAA stations is 220 days, ranging from 140 to 293 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within North Carolina?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across North Carolina, last spring frost dates span about 76 days — from around March 1 near Ocracoke to May 16 near Mt Mitchell. 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.