Harman US

Frost Dates for Colerain, NC

Last spring frost
Mar 24
First fall frost
Nov 14
Growing season
238 days
Hardiness zone
8a

In an average year around Colerain, NC, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Mar 24 and the first fall frost is about Nov 14, giving roughly a 238-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Mar 5 before setting out tender plants.

Last spring frost

Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.

Last spring frost - Colerain, NC
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Apr 20 Apr 5 Mar 21
Freeze (32°F) Apr 8 Mar 24 Mar 5
Hard (28°F) Mar 27 Mar 9 Feb 15
Severe (24°F) Mar 16 Feb 22 Jan 26
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Apr 20 Apr 16 Apr 12 Apr 8 Apr 5 Apr 3 Mar 31 Mar 27 Mar 21
32°F Apr 8 Apr 3 Mar 31 Mar 28 Mar 24 Mar 21 Mar 17 Mar 12 Mar 5
28°F Mar 27 Mar 21 Mar 17 Mar 13 Mar 9 Mar 5 Feb 28 Feb 24 Feb 15
24°F Mar 16 Mar 9 Mar 3 Feb 27 Feb 22 Feb 16 Feb 10 Feb 3 Jan 26
20°F Mar 2 Feb 24 Feb 16 Feb 10 Feb 3 Jan 30 Jan 24 Jan 16 Jan 9
16°F Feb 17 Feb 8 Jan 31 Jan 29 Jan 24 Jan 20 Jan 16 Jan 10 Jan 5

First fall frost

Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.

First fall frost - Colerain, NC
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Oct 24 Nov 4 Nov 17
Freeze (32°F) Nov 1 Nov 14 Dec 3
Hard (28°F) Nov 11 Dec 1 Dec 26
Severe (24°F) Nov 25 Dec 23 Jan 16
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Oct 24 Oct 28 Oct 31 Nov 2 Nov 4 Nov 6 Nov 9 Nov 12 Nov 17
32°F Nov 1 Nov 5 Nov 8 Nov 11 Nov 14 Nov 17 Nov 22 Nov 28 Dec 3
28°F Nov 11 Nov 16 Nov 21 Nov 25 Dec 1 Dec 4 Dec 9 Dec 17 Dec 26
24°F Nov 25 Dec 3 Dec 9 Dec 16 Dec 23 Dec 28 Jan 2 Jan 8 Jan 16
20°F Dec 14 Dec 24 Dec 30 Jan 2 Jan 8 Jan 12 Jan 18 Jan 24 Feb 2
16°F Dec 29 Jan 4 Jan 8 Jan 12 Jan 16 Jan 19 Jan 24 Jan 30 Feb 7

Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.

Where this data comes from

These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Edenton, Nc, about 18.9 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 10 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.

@endif
How we calculate these dates

Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Colerain, NC?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Colerain, NC is about Mar 24. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Mar 5.

When is the first frost in the fall?

The first fall frost around Colerain, NC typically arrives about Nov 14. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.

When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?

Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Mar 24 on average, or Mar 5 to be safe most years.

How long is the growing season here?

The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 238 days in a typical year.

Are these dates a forecast for this year?

No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.

Local weather for 27924 Planting calendar → North Carolina frost dates →

Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026