Frost dates / California / Merced
Frost dates in Merced, CA
The station on this page is MERCED, CA US (USC00045532), 2.4 miles from the city point. Population in the Census 2024 estimate is 96,073.
Zone 9aUSDA average annual extreme minimum 20°F to 25°F, from ZIP 95340 (4.6 miles from the city point used on this page).
Outside the median season Growing seasonTicks: 10%, 50%, and 90%
Last 32°F in spring
NCEI’s probability is the chance the last spring minimum of 32°F or lower occurs on or after the date.
| Probability | Date | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | February 2 | Earlier date. A last 32°F on or after this day is common. |
| 50% | March 3 | Median. |
| 10% | April 10 | Later date. A last 32°F on or after this day is uncommon. |
First 32°F in fall
NCEI’s probability is the chance the first autumn minimum of 32°F or lower occurs on or before the date.
| Probability | Date | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | November 5 | Earlier date. A first 32°F on or before this day is uncommon. |
| 50% | November 24 | Median. |
| 90% | December 14 | Later date. A first 32°F on or before this day is common. |
32°F growing-season length
Days between the last spring 32°F and the first autumn 32°F. The figure is a length the season meets or exceeds at that probability, from NCEI, not a subtraction done on this site.
| Probability the season is at least this long | Days |
|---|---|
| 10% | 303 |
| 50% | 263 |
| 90% | 226 |
28°F threshold
| 10% | 50% | 90% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last, on or after | March 11 | February 2 | December 28 |
| First, on or before | November 22 | December 11 | January 14 |
| Season at least | 356 days | 318 days | 271 days |
36°F threshold
| 10% | 50% | 90% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last, on or after | May 1 | April 7 | March 6 |
| First, on or before | October 21 | November 8 | November 24 |
| Season at least | 250 days | 213 days | 185 days |
Station MERCED, CA US (USC00045532). Completeness flag R, 22 years used for the 32°F dates. NCEI’s annual probability of at least one day at or below 32°F is 99.9%. Freeze dates are conditional on that threshold occurring. Elevation 46.9 m. The same probability language applies to the 28°F and 36°F rows when those dates passed the same quality checks.
Planting calendar for Merced · Zone 9a
Check a crop against this station
Merced, CA
Zone 9aAverage annual extreme minimum 20°F to 25°F
Outside the median season Growing seasonTicks: 10%, 50%, and 90%
California. Nearest qualified station: MERCED, CA US (USC00045532), 2.4 miles. Median last 32°F March 3. Median first 32°F November 24. The 50% growing-season length is 263 days.
Open the ZIP page · Crop guides for California
32°F probabilities at this station
| 10% | 50% | 90% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F on or after | April 10 | March 3 | February 2 |
| First 32°F on or before | November 5 | November 24 | December 14 |
Column order matches the NCEI file: for the last freeze, 10% is the later date and 90% is the earlier date. How to read the probabilities.
Planting calendar
Windows below are from UC ANR, UC Master Gardener Program, Time of planting, retrieved 2026-10-10. North and North Coast = Monterey County north; South Coast = San Luis Obispo County south; Interior Valleys = Sacramento, San Joaquin, and similar valleys; Desert Valleys = Imperial and Coachella Valleys. Source line on the page: California Master Gardener Handbook, Table 13.2, Adapted from Vegetable Gardening Illustrated 1994.
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