Climate News

Average Date of Last Frost
The average date of the last spring frost (32°F) varies widely across the Northeast, generally ranging from late March in some southern and coastal locations to late May in some northern and higher-elevation locations. At the region’s 35 major climate sites, the average date of the last spring frost, based on data from 1991-2020, ranges from March 24 in Washington, D.C., to May 14 in Caribou, ME, with the date falling sometime in April for a majority of the sites. When compared to data from 1981-2010, these dates have shifted earlier for 21 of the 35 sites. For instance, Philadelphia, PA’s average date of last spring frost was April 2 based on 1981-2010 but is now March 30 based on 1991-2020. Looking at all years of data for each of the major climate sites, the earliest last spring frost occurred in late February in Washington, D.C., and Central Park, NY, while the latest date was in early July in Elkins, WV. Maps of the average date of last spring frost (32°F) and last spring freeze (28°) for different normals periods can be found on our website on the Climate Normals Maps page.

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