Frost dates for Madera, CA
At Madera, the median last spring frost (32°F) is Feb 18 and the median first fall frost is Nov 27, for a typical growing season of 281 days. For a 90% chance that the last frost has passed, wait until Mar 18. Nearby ZIP codes are in USDA hardiness zones 9a to 9b.
- Feb 18Last spring frost (median)50% chance of 32°F after this date
- Mar 18Safer planting date10% chance of 32°F after this date
- Nov 27First fall frost (median)50% chance of 32°F by this date
- 281 daysGrowing season (median)between 32°F freezes
Last spring frost dates
The chance that the temperature drops to the threshold after each date.
| Temperature | 90% chance later | 50% chance later | 10% chance later |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Feb 24 | Mar 25 | Apr 18 |
| 32°F | Jan 16 | Feb 18 | Mar 18 |
| 28°F | Dec 20 | Jan 21 | Feb 19 |
| 24°F | Dec 9 | Dec 31 | Jan 31 |
First fall frost dates
The chance that the temperature has dropped to the threshold by each date.
| Temperature | 10% chance by | 50% chance by | 90% chance by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Oct 28 | Nov 11 | Nov 27 |
| 32°F | Nov 10 | Nov 27 | Dec 18 |
| 28°F | Nov 24 | Dec 10 | Jan 18 |
| 24°F | Dec 2 | Dec 20 | Jan 21 |
Growing season length
Days between the last spring and first fall freeze, as the length reached in 9, 5 and 1 out of 10 years.
| Temperature | 9 in 10 years at least | 5 in 10 years at least | 1 in 10 years at least |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | 201 days | 233 days | 264 days |
| 32°F | 245 days | 281 days | 319 days |
| 28°F | 295 days | 331 days | 365 days |
| 24°F | 335 days | 365 days | 365 days |
Chance of a freeze in any year
| Temperature | Chance per year |
|---|---|
| 36°F | 100% |
| 32°F | 100% |
| 28°F | 89% |
| 24°F | 45% |
ZIP codes whose closest station is this one
| ZIP | Hardiness zone | Avg. extreme low | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93636 | 9b | 25 to 30°F | 15 km |
| 93606 | 9a | 20 to 25°F | 17 km |
| 93723 | 9b | 25 to 30°F | 20 km |
| 93630 | 9a | 20 to 25°F | 28 km |
Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones shown here are the values published in the USDA-ARS / Oregon State University PRISM Group 2023 ZIP code tables, shown unaltered. For the official interactive map, visit planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
About this station
- NOAA station ID USC00045233, at 36.9539, -120.0378, elevation 82 m (270 ft).
- Data quality: Representative (10+ years), 29 years of freeze data.
- Average days per year at or below 32°F: 26.
- Frost risk changes over short distances. Valleys and low spots freeze earlier than hillsides and city centers.
Nearby weather stations
- Madera Muni Airport (7 km)
- Friant Government Camp (30 km)
- Fresno Yosemite Intl Airport (34 km)
- Fresno 5 NE (36 km)
- Auberry 2 NW (49 km)
- Merced Muni Airport (56 km)
- N Fk Ranger Station (56 km)
- Merced (56 km)
Sources
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal normals by station (version 1.0.1), file dated June 27, 2023; documentation.
- USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP code tables (CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico), files dated November 17, 2023. Data © PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 1, 2026. Official map: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer ZIP Code Tabulation Areas file, dated August 30, 2024 (ZIP centroids used to find the nearest station).
Freeze dates are 30-year probabilities, not forecasts. Check your local forecast before planting tender plants.