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Frost Dates in South Carolina
First and last frost dates across South Carolina, computed from 44 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 26
statewide median · range Feb 4–Apr 20
First fall frost
Nov 8
statewide median · range Oct 24–Dec 30
Growing season
230 days
median · range 186–321
Stations used
44
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | Columbia · 6 mi | Mar 25 (cautious: Apr 10) | Nov 7 | 229 days | Apr 8 |
| Charleston | Dwtn Charleston · 1 mi | Feb 4 (cautious: Mar 4) | Dec 30 | 321 days | Feb 18 |
| Greenville | Greer · 10 mi | Mar 28 (cautious: Apr 14) | Nov 7 | 224 days | Apr 11 |
How frost varies across South Carolina
Spring frost timing spans about 75 days across the state. Dwtn Charleston in southeastern South Carolina typically sees its last spring frost around February 4, while Ninety Nine Is in northwestern South Carolina doesn't clear frost until about April 20. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in South 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 9 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 75-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 44 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 South Carolina?
The statewide median last spring frost is March 26, but it ranges from February 4 to April 20 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 South Carolina?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around April 9 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 South Carolina?
The median growing season across 44 NOAA stations is 230 days, ranging from 186 to 321 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within South Carolina?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across South Carolina, last spring frost dates span about 75 days — from around February 4 near Dwtn Charleston to April 20 near Ninety Nine Is. 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.