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Frost Dates for Jacksonville, AL

Last spring frost
Mar 19
First fall frost
Nov 13
Growing season
240 days
Hardiness zone
8a

In an average year around Jacksonville, AL, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Mar 19 and the first fall frost is about Nov 13, giving roughly a 240-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Feb 27 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 - Jacksonville, AL
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Apr 21 Apr 1 Mar 16
Freeze (32°F) Apr 7 Mar 19 Feb 27
Hard (28°F) Mar 24 Mar 4 Feb 11
Severe (24°F) Mar 15 Feb 17 Jan 21
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Apr 21 Apr 14 Apr 9 Apr 5 Apr 1 Mar 30 Mar 26 Mar 21 Mar 16
32°F Apr 7 Mar 31 Mar 27 Mar 23 Mar 19 Mar 15 Mar 11 Mar 6 Feb 27
28°F Mar 24 Mar 18 Mar 13 Mar 9 Mar 4 Mar 1 Feb 25 Feb 19 Feb 11
24°F Mar 15 Mar 6 Feb 28 Feb 23 Feb 17 Feb 10 Feb 4 Jan 31 Jan 21
20°F Mar 2 Feb 20 Feb 11 Feb 4 Jan 31 Jan 27 Jan 21 Jan 13 Jan 4
16°F Feb 14 Feb 4 Jan 31 Jan 29 Jan 23 Jan 18 Jan 13 Jan 8 Dec 31

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 - Jacksonville, AL
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Oct 22 Nov 3 Nov 18
Freeze (32°F) Nov 1 Nov 13 Dec 1
Hard (28°F) Nov 9 Nov 27 Dec 23
Severe (24°F) Nov 18 Dec 13 Jan 11
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Oct 22 Oct 26 Oct 30 Nov 1 Nov 3 Nov 5 Nov 8 Nov 12 Nov 18
32°F Nov 1 Nov 4 Nov 7 Nov 10 Nov 13 Nov 16 Nov 20 Nov 25 Dec 1
28°F Nov 9 Nov 14 Nov 18 Nov 23 Nov 27 Dec 1 Dec 5 Dec 9 Dec 23
24°F Nov 18 Nov 27 Dec 2 Dec 7 Dec 13 Dec 22 Dec 28 Jan 3 Jan 11
20°F Dec 4 Dec 12 Dec 22 Dec 28 Jan 1 Jan 6 Jan 11 Jan 16 Jan 28
16°F Dec 19 Dec 28 Jan 1 Jan 6 Jan 11 Jan 15 Jan 20 Jan 26 Feb 1

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: Gadsden, Al, about 16.7 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 565 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 Jacksonville, AL?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Jacksonville, AL is about Mar 19. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Feb 27.

When is the first frost in the fall?

The first fall frost around Jacksonville, AL typically arrives about Nov 13. 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 19 on average, or Feb 27 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 240 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 36265 Planting calendar → Alabama frost dates →

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